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TWENTY-FIFTH 


ANNIVERSARY SERVICES 


OF THE 

METROPOLITAN MEMORIAL 


Methodist Episcopal Church, 


Washington, D. C. 


I pec 31 18: ] 

HELD NOVEMBER 4, 1804^ 


Washington : 

Hartman & Cadick, Printers, 


/S37 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by James H. Spencer, in the 
office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 


-i ( 

< • > ■ 




MEMORABILIA. 


“ Remember the days of old.” — Deuteronomy 32:7. 


“ Resolved, That we erect in the Metropolis of the Nation a commo- 
dious church edifice, which should be regarded as a connectional monu- 
ment to our beloved Methodism.” — General Conference M. E. Church , 1852. 

In 1853 the Baltimore Conference appointed Rev. Henry Slicer agent. 

October 23, 1854, corner-stone laid by Bishop Matthew Simpson. 

In 1866 the Bishops appointed Rev. Francis S. He Haas, D. D., agent, 
who obtained contributions throughout the entire country ; and the 
church was erected as a “ Memorial to Methodism.” 

February 28. 1869 — “ Dedication Day.” Bishop Simpson preached in 
ihe morning; Rev. W. Morley Punsiion, A. M., in the afternoon; and 
Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, D. H., in the evening. 

March 28, 1869 — “Organization Day.” Rev. John P. Newman, H. H., 
as pastor, organized the church, with David A. Burr, Esq., as superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school, Miss Cornelia A. Pursell being then, as 
now, teacher of the primary department and C. Burlevv chorister of the 
school. 

November 30, 1871, the spire, the gift of Mr. Thomas Kelso, was dedi- 
cated, and the chime of bells donated ; — through the efforts of Mrs. Dr. 
Newman. 

January 27, 1884 — “ Emancipation Day.” Chaplain C. C. McCabe se- 
cured $31,000 by popular subscription ; Rev. Robt. N. Baer, D. D., and 
Dr. Newman secured the remaining $19,000, extinguishing the debt. 
Bishop Simpson preached in the morning ; Chaplain McCabe in the eve- 
ning. 

November 12, 1889, Epworth League organized. 

March 25, 1890, Bishop John F. Hurst first publicly presented the 
plan for the “American University.” 

October 28, 1890, Bishops’ semiannual meeting. 

October 7 to 20, 1891 — “The Second Ecumenical Methodist Confer- 
ence.” President Harrison addressed the Conference. 

Baltimore Conference twice met in the Metropolitan, Woman’s For- 
eign Missionary Society once, and here were held the initial public 
meetings for the “Methodist Home” and “Deaconess Home.” 

Mural Tablets, of bronze and marble, commemorate General U. S. 
Grant and General John A. Logan. They and Chief Justice Chase wor- 
shiped here. 

The Strangers’ Class is held after morning service and the Chinese 
School in the afternoon, every Sunday. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 


The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Metropolitan Memorial Method- 
ist Episcopal Church will never be forgotten by those who took part in 
its proceedings. The interest awakened was so profound, and the serv- 
ices were so inspiring and impressive, that there has been a widely ex- 
pressed desire to have the proceedings embodied in permanent form in a 
fitting memorial volume. The sermon by the bishop was one of irresist- 
ible power and pathos. The brilliant outline is here, but no type or 
paper can convey any adequate conception of the impression produced by 
the voice, manner, and action of the sacred orator. Three times the pas- 
tor of this church, no minister could be more tenderly and reverently 
loved by the people — and no wonder, for he consecrated to the service of 
the church his pre-eminent gifts, and generously bore his share of every 
financial burden. During this very visit — although we had promised for 
his lecture a handsome donation toward his South American Mission 
work — he refused to take even a dollar for his expenses. Mrs. Newman’s 
services were also greatly appreciated. The reception given by the Trust- 
ees and Ladies’ Association, on November 6, to the bishop and his wife 
was a beautiful and appropriate tribute of appreciation, and was very 
largely attended. 

The preparation of this volume has largely fallen upon Mr. James 
H. Spencer, 243 8th street N. E. We are under the greatest obligation 
to him, but it has been a labor of love. He will gladly furnish copies 
to all who desire them. 

We anticipate for the national church a future no less fruitful than has 
been the past, and trust that this memorial volume will not only revive 
pleasing and sacred memories, but be to multitudes a source of strength 
and hope and of renewed devotion to the church of God. 

Hugh Johnston. 

Washington, D. C., December 15, 1894. 



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TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. 

Held November 4, 1894. 


During the day the following selections were rendered by Prof. Gibson, 
chimer : “Jubilee Joy Bells,” “Creation,” “Lead, Kindly Light,” 
“ Monastery Bells,” “Coronation,” “ Nearer, my God, to Thee,” “Jubilee 
Vespers,” “Rock of Ages,” “Them Evening Bells,” “Guide Me,” 
“Abide with Me,” “America,” “ Old Hundred.” 


11 A ., m. 

The services were opened with the singing of the hymn, “There’s a 
Wideness in God’s Mercy.” Rev. Hugh Johnston, D. D., the pastor of 
the Metropolitan Church, offered prayer. The Scripture lesson was read 
by Bishop John P. Newman. 

After these devotional exercises Bishop Newman delivered the follow- 
ing discourse on “ Illustrious Lives : ” 

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having 
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and 
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

* * * * * * * 

“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received 
not the promise : 

‘ ‘ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us 
should not be made perfect.” — Heb. 11:13, 39, 40. 

Three great thoughts are suggested by this venerable text — the suprem- 
acy of faith, the continuity of personality, and the immortality of good- 
ness. In this famous chapter the great apostle in more than human 
eloquence celebrates the religious character of those whose illustrious 
lives should be recalled with gratitude and gladness by the good and the 
true in all the coming annals of the church. It is a glorious resume of 
the history of religious heroism through four thousand years. It is a 
eulogy on character superior to age, rank, or mission, and a vindication of 
the ways of God to man. Like a rare gem set with precious stones, each 
one a fortune in itself, faith is the conspicuous virtue glorified by courage, 
hope, and enthusiasm. What more comprehensive virtue can be named? 
Faith receives what it can not comprehend, lays hold on the unseen, 
supplements the limitations of our knowledge, and reveals the future ; 
faith binds us to the past and links us to the future ; faith makes the 
hero independent of public opinion, and is the animation of all other 
Christian virtues. It is a mistake to suppose that faith is exhalted at 
the expense of other heroic virtues. It implies courage to denounce the 
degeneration of a nation, to walk the fiery furnace, to endure the lion’s 
den. It supposes hope that animates the soul and sustains courage, and 
is the invisible angel leading us to victory. It includes enthusiasm that 


7 


8 


warms the soul to action and inspires the intellect with noblest thoughts. 
It is not faith in isolation, but faith in divine companionship. There is 
nothing greater than faith to reform society. 

The apostle’s analysis of character is not close. He leaves the equation 
with the Almighty. The persons he considers had great virtues and 
great faults ; he does not disguise their faults nor record them in history. 
He knew that he was dealing with mixed characters ; that in their lives 
were sunshine and shadow, but draws down the curtain of oblivion over 
their foibles and exalts their virtues. 

“These all died in the faith.” It was the faith in the coming of a 
promised Messiah. That was all. And each in his turn, as he departed 
this life, exclaimed with his dying accents, “Behold He cometh.” The 
magnificence and magnitude of this faith is best discovered by the isola- 
tion of these illustrious persons and the long intervals of time which 
make up the period of four thousand years. In the very dawn of the 
race Abel’s bleeding lamb is the adumbration of his faith that Christ 
would come. A thousand years roll into eternity, and as “Enoch walks 
with God, and he was not, for God took him,” he shouts back to earth, “He 
is coming.” And nearly a millennium comes and goes ; as Noah shuts the 
door of the ark, he exclaims, “He is coming.” A century and a half 
thereafter Abraham stands on the summit of Mount Moriah, and as the 
angel arrests his hand raised to slay Isaac, the heavenly voices sing, “ In 
Thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Three hundred 
years later Jacob is dying, and a vision arises before him, “The sceptre 
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, 
until Shiloh come.” Two centuries of silence are added to the calendar 
of the world, and Moses prophesies, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto 
thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren, like unto me ; 
unto Him ye shall harken.” The silence of five hundred years is broken 
when David sings, “ Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye lift up, 
ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in.” From David 
to Isaiah three centuries come and go when Isaiah apostrophized the future, 
“ Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, 
travelling in the greatness of his strength?” A hundred years there- 
after, on the banks of Babylon’s river, Daniel beholds the “form of the 
Son of Man,” and three hundred years thereafter the Messianic vision 
reappears to Malachi. Then follows the silence of four centuries, which 
was broken by the song of the angels on the plains of Bethlehem. 
“ These all died in the faith ” — the faith that a Saviour would come to 
bless our world. 

In this analysis two things are apparent— conspicuity and obscurity. 
Two classes are recognized — those who will always be prominent in history 
for certain sublime acts and those whose names are simply recorded. But 
it is enough for us to know that obscurity, as well as conspicuity, has a 
place in the order of Divine Providence, and only God can tell which shall 
have the greater weight in fixing character and in determining the des- 
tiny of the world. It would have been disheartening had the apostle 
mentioned Abraham and failed to name Sarah, or Moses without Miriam, 
or the “spies” of Jericho and not the woman Kahab who sheltered 
them from their foes. 

This suggests a second great thought — the continuity of personality, 
“ that they without us should not be made perfect. ’ Every person lives 
a threefold life — the life that now is, the life immortal, and the life that 
is posthumous. The life that is physical allies us to the animal creation ; 
the intellectual lifts us to companionship with the angels, and makes man 
capable of appreciating the works of God in nature; and the spiritual 
life raises us to conmanionship with the Father Almighty. Man’s im- 
mortal life is a sublime fact and full of heavenly cheer ; but there is 
solitude in personal immortality. It severs us from the earth we love 






Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. 












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and from the raca to which we belong ; but God has ordained the con- 
tinuity of our personality, that we should live, when our body is in the 
grave, in the thoughts, opinions, and great purposes of redemption. With- 
out this corporate immortality, this perpetual association with the destiny 
of our race, life would be a mystery, our immortality an enigma ; but, 
given continuity of existence, and the mystery of existence is explained. 
With this great truth before me, what care I though “these all died in 
the faith,” with hopes not realized ; died amid their usefulness ; yielded 
to the limit of human endeavor. Apparently they failed. Were they 
failures? “They saw the promise afar off.” How far? A thousand 
years ? Yes ; Abel saw them four thousand years. What worry and 
pain and work they must have endured. How powerful are the reasons 
for this belief in our continued existence among the children of men. How 
shall we explain the disproportion between what we feel as possibilities 
within us and the small results that follow? Is your life a failure? 
Without the inspiration of this great, thought, I do not wonder that de- 
spondency seizes the soul like an invisible power. In such a moment you 
are tempted to s licide. The rope, the poisoned cup, the gliding river 
invite you to the banquet of death. 

There are times when we sing with Faber — 

Oh, it is hard to work for God, 

To rise and take His part 

Upon this battle field of earth, 

And not sometimes lose heart. 

He hides Himself so wondrously, 

As though there were no God ; 

He is least seen when all the powers 
Of ill are most abroad. 

Or He deserts us in the hour 
The fight is all but lost, 

And seems to leave us to ourselves 
Just when we need Him most. 

It is not so, but so it looks, 

And we lose courage then, 

And doubts will come if God hath kept 
His promises to men. 

But right is right, since God is God, 

And right the day mu«t win ; 

To doubt would be disloyalty, 

T To falter would be sin. 

Wait patiently. The future of this world belongs to you. Look at the 
possibilities and~ the incompleteness of your plans for usefulness. Were 
each life rounded, complete progress would be limited to each personality ; 
but now we are all contributors to one great whole. Out of this very in- 
completeness comes our longing after something which links us to the 
past. This gives us an abiding interest in this life. W T e carry that inter- 
est with us. Why are we amoitious to leave behind us a good name? 
There is hope within us that we shall still live among the children of 
men. We do not come and go as generations, but as a race which never 
dies. Pascal has said that “mankind are as one man, ever living and 
evergrowing, but never dying” — “that they without us should not be 
made perfect.” The past is handed down and the future is born of the 
present. This is the law of transmission. This is the hope of the 
millennium. 

And the unanswerable argument for this continuity of personality is in 
the fact that great results are reached by proxy. The least life is essential. 
One life is a paradox ; two lives are sublime. Not the greatest is great in 
isolation. There are a few conspicuous persons in society largely endowed 
by nature, highly favored by circumstances, who, under that strange 


10 


law of coincidence that works such apparent mischief to some and such 
apparent benefit to others — under the operation of that law, boom 
into notoriety and become famous ; others stand upon their merit. Some 
would be great if they stood among their equals, great if they stood 
among the greatest ; but the number of such is small. We ought, there- 
fore, to turn for comfort to this blessed chapter, which declares that genera- 
tions are linked together. I suppose within ten years after we are dead 
all of us here will be forgotten. It is really a melancholy feeling that 
steals over the soul, but then comes the gr.at thought of recognition both 
in the future of our race an t in the iuture of our souls. Would you have 
an illustration of this associate immortality ? Turn to the tablets on yon 
wall in memory of the great soldiers, Grant and Logan. But their achiev- 
ments are attributed to those heroic men who composed the Grand Army 
of the Republic, some of whom surround me to-day ; but the great major- 
ity sleep in heroes’ graves. You may not be great in your endowments, 
but you may be allied to others whose lives will be sublime. You have 
heard of Kitto, a voluminous and attractive Biblical writer, to whom the 
clergy are so largely indebted. But what is the name of that obscure 
English layman, who on a Sunday afternoon went to an English poor- 
house and there saw a deaf pauper, but in whose eye was the glint of 
genius. The child was adopted and educated. That was Kitto. He will 
share his glory with the man who rescued him. When you go to Hong 
Kong, China, enter the Victoria Library, wherein you will see a Bible 
and lexicon in Chinese and English, and near them an autograph letter 
from Queen Victoria thanking Morrison for what he had done for China. 
But what is the name of that Christian woman, that Sunday-school 
teacher, who on a Sunday, in ?n English metropolis, found the neglected 
boy Morrison and took him to the Sunday-school? The glory of the great 
Morrison will be shared by the woman that led him to Christ. It is or- 
dained that the mightiest workers work out of sight. When passing over 
the Indian Ocean, where the polypi build their coral throne, I found an 
illustration of this fact, They work out of sight ; but soon the dome of 
the island appears above the bosom of the briny deep. The wild winds 
scatter dust thereon ; the wild birds drop seed thereon. Soon plants gro w, 
and flowers bloom, and people sit beneath their fragiance. Our mothers 
work out of sight — these guardians of our childhood, the companions of 
our manhood. They are the mightiest workers. There will be a mothers’ 
day when we stand before the judgment seat. There is no velvet so soft 
as a mother’s lap ; no rose so sweet as a mother's cheek ; no music so 
charming as a mother’s voice. They will be crowned with glory, and they 
can say to fathers, husbands, brothers, “you without us can not be made 
perfect.” 

And in view of all these facts, I am not surprised with the greater truth 
of the immortality of goodness. “ The righteous shall be held in everlast- 
ing remembrance.” Last summer Mrs. Newman and I stood in the Roman 
forum, on the very spot where lay Cmsar’s dead body, and where Mark 
Antony held up the bloody garments of the dead Ceesar and said : 

The evil that m*>n do lives after them ; 

The geod is often interred with their bones ; 

So let it be with Caesar. 

I could almost hear Antony’s voice echo amid the seven hills. But 
what he said is not true; for the memory of the wicked shall perish, while 
that of the righteous is immortal. You and I have lived long enough to 
see the mighty changes that have taken place in the verdicts of history. 
The martyr of to-day is the prophet of to-morrow ; m n who die under a 
cloud reappear in the full sunshine of God’s glory. The truly good are 
the truly great. Who to-day stands at the head of the English classics? 
Not Gibbon with his splendid diction, but Addison, who said, when dying, 


11 


to Lord Warwick, “Come, my lord, and see how a Christian can die.” 
Who to-day is esteemed the prince of Christian gentlemen ? Not Chester- 
field, who wrote those solaeious letters to his son, but Sir Philip Sidney, 
who, dying from wounds received on the field of battle, exclaimed, “I 
would not exchange my joys for an empire.” Who is to-day regarded 
the greatest soldier? He who crossed the Rubicon ? He who descended 
the Alps to conquer Rome? He who died on St. Plelena ? Ray; he who 
sleeps upon the banks of the Potomac. And wherever men shall love 
liberty, they will revere the name of Washington. 

To-day we hear the voice of history. Twenty-five years ago, on Easter 
Sunday, in the beautiful springtime, I organized this church. What a 
vision rises before me. This great temple of piety was thronged with 
eager worshipers. Ninety persons gathered around this altar to be re- 
ceived as members. The nine trustees who constituted the board at that 
time were present on that memorable occasion. There sat Grant, that 
illustrious soldier, and beside him his beloved wife, who has shared his 
trials and his triumphs. Over there sat Chief Justice Chase, that great 
jurist. Yonder in his pew was Emery, a tower of strength. Near by 
was Fowler, who is present to-day, the patient and successful treasurer of 
the church. There was Norment, eloquent and energetic ; Lutz, amiable, 
gentle, enthusiastic ; Tullock, whose pen was that of a ready writer, con- 
secrated to Christ ; Burr, intelligent and pious, superintendent of the 
Sunday-school; Howard, the “beloved physician.” And memory can 
never forget Pursell, that calm and beautiful spirit ; and Ruff, full of holy 
ern tion ; and Lane, and Perry, and Tasker, and Charlton, and C. C. 
Burr, and a host of others whose precious memories will be recalled in the 
subsequent services of to-day. Were I an artist, I would paint a picture 
for the. immortality of that blessed group on which coming generations 
might gaze. What scenes I have witnessed around this altar. When 
Chief Justice Chase, of immortal memory, and Logan, dear Logan, with 
her who was the companion of his life, came forward to receive the holy 
sacrament — but the vision ascends ; I must not linger longer. “ These ail 
died in the faith ;” and with their example before us, let us be true to our 
Master ; let this church be a power for good over all this land, and when 
the millennium comes, the cross of our Redeemer shall be the joy cf 
mankind. 

After the closing hymn, “ Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above,” the 
benediction was pronounced by Bishop Newman. 





HON. MATTHEW G. EMERY. 








AFTERNOON SERVICE). 

3 F*. M. 

The Sunday-school and Ep worth League meeting was held at 3 o’clock. 
After the devotional exercises Capt. Thos. H. McKee, the present super- 
intendent of the Metropolitan Sunday-school, in introducing the speakers 
of the afternoon, said : 

The occasion on which we meet to-day to celebrate is too well known and 
understood by all present to require of me any introductory statement. 
The foundation laid twenty-five years ago has supported the superstruct- 
ure built thereon. The 1,000 children, besides many adults who have 
passed into the Sabbath- school, and from it into the active work of the 
church, have been made better and stronger for the Christian conflict. 
We are to hear from many of those who have been with the Sabbath-school 
from the beginning. They v\ ill tell you in fitting words some of the inci- 
dents which cluster around memories that are dear to many hearts, and 
without taking your time, I now have the pleasure to ask your attention 
to the program which will follow. 

Mr. Andrew B. Duvall said : 

I am one of the antediluvians. Although old age has not overtaken 
me and bent my form or whitened my locks, yet the fact remains that I 
am the earliest surviving superintendent of the school. 

Twenty-five years ago I was wedded in, and at the same time wedded 
to, the church, and immediately transferred my membership here and 
took a class in the school. David A. Burr, whom I had known well, 
and with whom I had worked at Wesley Chapel, had just removed from 
the city, and Mr. John A. Ruff was superintendent. Brother Burr was 
a truly noble man, the most enthusiastic and progressive Sunday-school 
man 1 ever met ; his organization of the school was complete. Brother 
Ruff was a whole-souled, happy, and cheerful Christian banker, and ren- 
dered good service. I was his assistant for one year, and then succeeded 
him as superintendent for two years. 

I do not know how it is, but somehow it seems to me the best and most 
lovable people in the city have always been connected with the Metro- 
politan Church. In those earlier days there were Mrs Somers, Gen. and 
Mrs. Cowan with their large Bible class, S. S. Bryant, Mrs. Havenner, 
D. B. Mack, L. C. Tallmadge, and others, among whom, of course (for 
they have always been), were Miss Cornelia Pursell and Brother Burlew ; 
but I do not think it would be fair to judge Brother Burlew’s singing 
qualities and ability by his success in teaching me. And there v as Thos. 
J. S. Perry; who can ever forget “Tom” Perry, as he was familiarly 
and lovingly called ? Pie was the children’s friend Their comfort ard 
welfare were always on his mind, and his generous soul called freely and 
constantly on his ready pocket-book at all times to supply anything need- 
ful. You did not have to tell him or beg him ; his thought was before 
your speech, and the thing was gladly and cheerfullv done. 

When you become a member of the Methodist Church, those in 
authority will put you to work at once, if you will let them. So they put 
me to work, and during these years I have found my joy in its labors. 


14 


And I tell you this is a work that pays as you go. Why, a few years ago, 
while I was teaching my class over in that corner, I looked over the 
school, and there I had a representative in each of the departments — 
primary, intermediate, and junior. Faithful men and women were doing 
for my children what I had been trying to do for the children of others. 
Who can fail to see that such work pays ? Are not its wages both sweet 
and prompt? 

Mr. A. P. Lacey being prevented from taking part in the exercises by 
reason of serious sickness of several months’ duration, Mr. C. M. Lacey 
Sites was requested to present the facts concerning Mr. Lacey’s connection 
with the school, which he did in the following paper : 

Capt. A. P. Lacey has been actively connected with the school for more 
than twenty-three years, since July, 1871, successively as teacher, as pres- 
ident of the missionary society, as assistant superintendent, and as superin- 
tendent. 

When he assumed the duties of superintendent, the crushing debt 
which rested on the church property, with accumulating interest, was 
beginning to weigh most heavily upon the church. This burden ham- 
pered the activities not only of the church, but of the Sunday-school as 
well, both directly and indirectly. 

Sources of revenue, which had previously supplied the school with 
needed funds for its work, were cut off, and it became necessary that the 
school should unite its efforts with those of the church membership to 
raise funds for current expenses. 

For seven years the problem of Sunday-school finances demanded a 
large share of the attention of the officers of the school. Never were the 
spiritual interests of the school allowed to flag. Never were the zeal of 
the teachers and the love of the scholars for their school more active than 
during this period. But the burden inevitably hampered the growth and 
extension of the school. The debt having at last been lifted from the 
church, the school was relieved of a large share of the burden which had 
rested upon it, and it was practicable to turn its working force more 
directly to its upbuilding and advancement. 

During all these years of depression Capt. Lacey enjoyed the co-opera- 
tion of a noble band of devoted Christian teachers. Himself always faith- 
ful, prompt, and cordial, never absent from his post of duty in the school, 
at teachers’ meeting, or in the church service, he inspired his corps of 
teachers with his own earnestness of purpose and active consecration to 
the work of the Lord. 

No outlay of time or of thought on his part was too great if it could 
promote the haopiness or the welfare of the scholars by means of excur- 
sions, entertainments, Children’s Day exercises, or by adding interest to 
the regular work of the school. 

Always genial and unselfish in his relations to teachers and scholars 
and unfailing in warm Christian courtesy to strangers, always practical, 
forceful, scholarly, and manifesting the love of Christ in his addresses 
from the platform, he won all hearts and built up for himself in this school 
an imperishable monument in the respect and love of its members and of 
all who knew him here. 

Shortly after the “jubilee” day, when the church debt was extin- 
guished, Capt. Lacey retired from the superintendency. He left to his 
successor a school strong in purpose, active, vigorous in every depart- 
ment, and fully equipped and prepared to move forward to higher achieve- 
ments and broader victories than had been possible under the conditions 
previously existing. 

We stand, as a school, at the summit of our first quarter-century. We 
pause on this auspicious day to survey the past. If, as it seems, these 


twenty -five years divide themselves in three periods— the first, the period 
of laying foundations ; the second, the period of struggle in the face of ob- 
stacles mountain high ; the third, the period of aggressive extension, on 
which we have now entered — then it is but fitting that I voice for you to- 
day this simple tribute to him who conducted the school with such skill 
and devotion through that trying second period. 

Though shut in by sickness from active participation in this anniver- 
sary day, he is here in spirit, with an interest as sincere and a prayer as 
fervent as in other days, that God may bless this school. Nothing has 
been more grateful to him during his recent months of physical weakness 
than the testimonies of loving regard which have poured in upon him 
from his Sunday-school friends and co-workers. And so I am sure I may 
also voice your prayer to-dav that his honored and useful life may be 
spared yet many years, and that when his work on earth is done, he may 
find abundant entrance into that- other house of God “ not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens.” 

The address of Mr. H. 0. Hall was as follows : 

I have great pleasure this afternoon in being permitted to join in the 
congratulations to the members of the Metropolitan Church and Sunday- 
school upon this occasion of their silver- wedding anniversary. 

Twenty-five years ago the Metropolitan Church and Sunday-school 
were joined together in the most holy bonds, and, I am glad to say, have 
lived together in peace and harmony for this quarter of a century. 

I was present at the dedication, and had the honor of “ standing up ” 
during the ceremony, for I was too gallant a young man to keep my seat 
when so many ladies and gentlemen were compelled to stand. 

With the circumstances associated with my earliest connection with 
the Metropolitan Church very few of its present members are familiar, 
for I have seldom spoken of it to anyone. It antedates the day of dedica- 
tion just one year and five months. I came to Washington early in 
November, 1867, to accept a Government position. The first private resi- 
dence I ever entered in this citv was the large house which stands on the 
opposite corner of Four-and-a-half and C streets, just across the way. It 
was then, as now, the residence of Mr. Lutz, and the Rev. Dr. DeHaas, 
who was the agent of the General Conference in superintending the erec- 
tion of the church and the collection of funds, was at that time making 
his home w r ith Mr. Lutz. The first night after my arrival in the city I 
called upon Dr. DeHaas, as I had a letter of introduction to him from my 
brother, who had been a member of his church in Brooklyn and was con- 
verted under his preaching. I also had with me mv church letter, which 
I desired to depo it at once, as I was a stranger in the city. After the 
first greetings were over, I handed my church Ltter to the doctor, 
and said that I desired to become a member of the Metropolitan Church. 

“ Why,” said he, “the church is not finished yet, nor dedicated ; the 
floors are not even laid.” 

I replied “Well, doctor, I am sorry for that, but I came here f illy ex- 
pecting to become a member of the Metropolitan Church, of which I have 
heard so much, and I do not desire to join any other.” 

The doctor smiled a n d seemed pleased with my earnestness, and re- 
plied, “ Very well, Brother Hall, you may give me your letter and I will 
deposit it with my church papers, and when the church is finished and 
organized, it will be read with the other letters of those who become 
members on that day. In the meantime you will want to worship regu- 
larly at some church, and I would recommend you to attend Wesley 
Chapel.” I therefore became a regular attendant at Wesley from that 
time until the day of dedication, and was soon appointed a teacher in 
the Sunday-school, although I never was a member of that church. It 


16 


was there I first met dear Brother S. S. Bryant and many others who 
afterwards became members of the Metropolitan Church. 

When the Metropolitan Sunday-school was organized, I went into the 
Bible class. I was unable to be "present at the organization one month 
after the dedication, being confined in Providence Hospital with a severe 
attack of quinsy just at that time. 

Shortly after my marriage that year I removed from the city, but re- 
turned in two or three years, and "then became a teacher in the Sunday- 
school and had a very "fine class of boys. Among the members of that 
class whom I now recall was Carroll McKenney, the bright and promising 
young lawyer, who only a week ago was so suddenly taken away by 
typhoid fever just as he was entering upon an auspicious career. Other 
members of that class are to-day honored and respected citizens of Wash- 
ington and other cities. Mr. C. M. L. Sites, Mr. Andrew Tallmadge, and 
Mr. William Fullerton, of Chicago, were ^lso members. And right here I 
might pause to suggest what an excellent thing it would be if in our Sun- 
day-schools we should keep such a record of all our scholars that in after 
years, when we have anniversaries like this, we might be able to call the 
roll and point to them wherever they may be, or as they may occupy 
prominent and honored places in the different spheres in life, ns a stimulus 
and an encouragement to go on in the good work. I should like to know 
how many of the men who to-day are filling honorable places in the coun- 
try received their first religious instructions in the Sunday-school of the 
Metropolitan Church. 

For many years I remained an humble teacher in the Sunday-school, 
seeking no office in the church, for I loved the work of teaching and was 
content with that. In later years I became president of the missionary 
society, and was subsequently elected assistant superintendent, and lor 
two terms was superintendent of the Sunday-school. How successful or 
unsuccessful was my administration of that important office the records 
of the school will show. I only know that I gave my whole strength and 
thought to the work of trying to build up a model Sabbath-school. 

I had always felt a great interest in the Metropolitan Church from the 
prominent place it held in Methodism, and I therefore had a desire, and 
it was my ambition, that it should have the best, if not the largest, 
Sunday-school in the land, from which should go out through its length 
and breadth an inspiration and example for good, which should be felt 
and followed by all with whom we came in contact through the many 
visitors from the different States and cities who honored us with their 
presence. With this object in view, a number of changes were deemed 
necessary in order to get the school out of the grooves in which it had 
been ru 1 1 ning. What changes were wrought in the school during those two 
years it is hardly necessary, and possibly not becoming in me, to mention 
here, except as a matter of history in reviewing the progress of the school. 
The constitution and rules of the school were revised and amended in 
many important points. The school was graded into primary, interme- 
diate, junior, and senior departments, with a graded lesson help for each 
department, and on each Children’s Day such scholars as were found 
qualified were graduated from the lower to the higher grades, each young 
graduate receiving a neat diploma. Up to that time but one lesson help 
was used in the entire school outside of the infant class. A register was 
placed in the school, in which the names of all visit rs were recorded, and 
an officer of the school was placed at the door to greet all strangers and 
make them feel at home. A new financial system was inaugurated, and 
the Easter offering became a fixed institution, and solved the prat lem 
which had embarrassed us for fifteen years, of how to raise sufficient funds 
for the support of the school without interfering with the missionary or 
educational collections. With the funds thus raised we were able to keep 
out of debt, purchase much needed accessories, and provide ent /rtainments 




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MISS CORNELIA A. PURSELL. 










































































































































































































































































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17 


and recreation for the children. The library of the school, which had 
been in use for fifteen years, was replenished and nearly doubled in size 
through the valuable assistance of an auxiliary society of the school. A 
new organ was purchased, and the piano and cornet were for the first time 
introduced into the school to aid our dear Brother Burlewin the conduct 
of the singing. 

All these things tended toward the building up of the school, incieasing 
largely the interest and the average attendance, and in extending its in- 
fluence far and wide. The good work that has been done by Metropolitan 
Church and Sabbath -school in these twenty-five years of its history will 
never be known until we all stand in that great day before the throne, 
where all secrets will be revealed. The influence that has gone forth 
from these sacred walls and from the lessons taught here has been for 
good, and we should feel encouraged to increased diligence and activity, 
so that when we are laid to rest, and a new generation shall celebrate the 
golden jubilee, they may be able to speak well of us and recount with 
pride our self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the Metropolitan 
Church and Sabbath-school. 

Mr. Thos. G. Hensey said : 

Twenty-five years have come and gone, and under the good providence 
of God, I, with some others present, am permitted to appear on this plat- 
form. 

March 28, 1869, was a memorable day to me. I was a stranger in the 
city, knowing only two persons, Dr. Newman and a friend of boyhood 
days. Hearing the school was to be organized, I left my lodgings on 
Eleventh street and in due time reached the church. Entering the 
school on Four-and-a-half street, my attention was attracted by Charles 
H. Lane, long since deceased, who gave me a hearty welcome. Brother 
D. A. Burr had been appointed superintendent ; John Lutz, now deceased, 
secretary; Capt. Brian, the present foreman of the Government Print- 
ing Office, librarian ; C. Burlew, chorister; Miss Cornelia Pursell, primary 
departmen teacher. 

Brother Burr was a tall, slender man, with a sympathetic face, whose 
piety was so intense that he left its impress upon all. He struggled so 
hard to reach the hearts of others t hat he excited such a degree of sympa- 
thy from his auditors that they felt disposed to comply with his wishes in 
deference to his painful anxiety for the salvation of souls. 

Amon? the officers and teachers whom I remember, the following occur 
to me now : D. A. Burr, John Lutz, C. Burlew, Miss Cornelia Pursell, 
Asa P. Knight, C. C. Pursell, C. C. Burr, the Sinsabaugh Brothers, Mr. 
Bolton, and George McCollough. 

Lay delegation was voted upon about this time, and, some of the teachers 
desiring republican form of government, the Quarterly Conference author- 
ized the adoption of the constitution which was subsequently submitted 
by the following committee : 

W. S. Dyre, S. S. Bryant, George McCollough, Mrs. E. Somers, Mrs. 
Havenner, and Thos. G. Hensey. 

The old officers were elected, with two assistant superintendents, Mr. 
W. S. Dyre and Mrs. Havenner. 

Brother Burr graded the school according to 1 he ages of the children, 
and h'd all the latest appliances of a modern and model school. His 
blackboard reviews were superb. He did not have an intermediate class. 
He was a missionary in every sense of the word ; he visited every teacher 
at his home, and he never left without invoking a blessing in the form of 
a prayer. 

Brother Hall and myself were assigned the eastern and northern sec- 
tions. We visited the alleys as well as the main streets, and received a 


18 


pleasant respone from everyone whom we asked, and our members in 
the school were largely augmented. 

Among those associated in my memory, connected with the school, 
were Brother Geo. W. Gray, Mrs. J. C. * Tasker, and Mrs. Stevenson. 
There are faces in my memory whose names are gone, and one of these 
days I shall be among that number, and perhaps you too. 

And now, friends, if we have, met here to-day to glorify ourselves, then 
this gathering is a failure ; but if we have met to put the past behind us 
and take hold of the present, to do the right as God gives us to see the 
right, then we shall receive that final plaudit of “Well done, good and 
faithful servant ” 

Miss Cornelia A. Pursell, for twenty-five years principal of the primary 
department, spoke as follows : 

The class met and was regularly organized in class room April 4, 1869 ; 
present, 31 girls, 25 boys. The following were the members : 

Carrie Lane, Ella Lane, Bessie McKelden, Carrie Hall, Mary Britton, 
Annie Ribnitsky, Ida Ribnitsky, Hattie Streeter, Minnie Bord, Maggie 
Bird, Flora Roche, Lillie Roche, Leah Gapen, Ella McGuaggan, Nellie 
Bryant, Jennie Williams, Hattie Walker, Fannie Snow, Emma Wilkins m, 
Minnie Chauncey, Myrtie Hughes, Annie S.nith, Mamie Sommers, Be'le 
Britton, Ada Norton, Estelle Norton, Rebecca Bird, Abbie Hopkins, 
Lauia Burroughs, Lizzie Tabler, Willie Wilson, Johnnie Wilson, Howard 
Botetea, Nat. Lane, Fred. Tasker, Harry Cochran, George Atkinson, Sam. 
Fowler, Wallace Parker, Victor Griffith, Harry Mi Ians, Aloysius Gawler, 
S. S. Williams, Walter Dodge, Johnnie Walker, Percy Hughes, Harry 
Ford, Will. Baldwin, Ed. Baldwin, Josie Spinier, Frank Chaves, Charley 
Dowden, Alex. Hensey, Eddie Royer, Hugh Davidson. 

Since April 4, 1869, there have passed from the class 1,000 children, 
graduating into our own Sunday-school and others. Of those w ho have 
gone from the class, several are preaching the gospel, and many are fill- 
ing places of trust and honor in the church and in the world. As proof 
that our original members have not outgrown their love for their first 
Sunday-school, we have now in class the children of the children who 
were among our earliest scholars. These, too, are “ growing up for Jesus,” 
and in future years will be known as earnest workers for the Master. 

Of conversions in the class, we can report but few. Primary teachers 
must be willing to lay the foundation, “Jesus Christ Himself being the 
chief corner stone,” that others may build thereon “a building fitly 
framed together, growing unto a holy temple in the Lord.” Enough f jr 
us if, in the glad hereafter, some will say, “ Dear teachers, you first led us 
to Jesus.” 

Of those who have gone from us to Heaven we report : 1871, Clement- 
Fellows, Jimmie Pumphrey, Howard Walker, Carrie Thomas ; 1872, 
Grace Butterfield, Flodoardo Howard ; 1873, Dora Jones ; 1875, Fannie 
Boteler ; 1877, Juliet- G. Harrison, Oscar Hodgking ; 1879, Lizzie Dodge ; 
1880, Lillie L. King; 1881, Clara L. Wilmarth ; 1882, Charley E. Robert ; 
1883. Bessie Kingsman, Edna Potter, Evangeline Frear ; 1886 Florence 
Gardner, Morton M. Edwards, Grace Rowe ; 1889, Ettie G. Fearing, John 
F. Camilear, Shaler Brooke, Joe Brooks, Owen L. Dalton ; 1891, Mary 
Devlin ; 1892, March 3, Belle C. Twomblv, for eight years associate 
teacher, was called from labor to reward ; faithful, willing, loving 
worker, her precious memory is a “goodly heritage;” 1893, Marion 
Sumpter. 

These are all waiting for us in the blessed home, where we never say 
good-bye. 

There are at present on roll 93 scholars — 50 girls and 43 boys. Owing 
to the fact that each year on Children’s Day a class is graduated from 


19 


primary to intermediate class, the class is not so large in numbers as in 
former years. 

Our regular weekly collection, with small exception, is given to the 
parent missionary society. In addition, the children have given gladly 
and generously to the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society (through 
mite boxes), to Mrs. Newman’s Missionary Home "at Round Lake, to 
Ruth M. Sites’s work in China, to Dr. Rudisell’s Printing Press Fund, to 
Central Union Mission, as well as to Home Missionary work, our motto 
being, “ God loveth a cheerful giver.” The love of the children and the 
work for the Master is very sweet and blessed to our own souls. The 
prayer of your primary teacher is : 

“Oh, lead us, Lord, that we may lead 
Into right paths the children’s feet, 

Oh. feed us. Lord, that we may feed 
Thy little ones, with manna sweet.” 

Miss S. L. Sommers, superintendent of the Metropolitan Chinese Sun- 
day-school, read the followdng report : 

The work of the Chinese Sunday-school commenced about thirteen 
years ago, when Mr. H. 0. Hall gathered a few of the Chinese in the parlor 
below. There, with the aid of a few teachers, the work progressed until 
the small beginning grew to be a school, over which Mr. Hall presided for 
some years, when he resigned and Mr. Thos. H. McKee was made super- 
intendent, he remaining until the spring of 1893, when he resigned and 
the present occupant was appointed. 

We have now on our roll 44 ssholars and 28 teachers, with an average 
attendance for the last three months of 27 scholars and 19 teachers. The 
school is organized with officers necessary to the successful carrying on 
of the work. The teachers are self-denying, earnest, and faithful, and 
endeavor to instill into the minds of these men the truths contained in 
God’s Word. The exercises consist of singing, prayer, reading the 
Scripture in concert, a lesson adapted by the teacher "to the ability of 
the scholar, a passage of Scripture either read or recited by the 
scholars, and a talk by Mrs. M. L. Collins, who takes a few verses from 
the Bible or a Bible story, translates it into Chinese, and explains it. 
All listen attentively to her, and the truth is given to those who can not 
as yet either speak or understand English, and we trust seed is sown 
which will spring up and bring forth an abundant harvest. AYe are highly 
favored in having Mrs. Collins as assistant superintendent as well as 
teacher. She spent many years in China, and speaks the Cantonese dialect 
fluently. Her soul is in the work, and she spares no effort to benefit these 
men. 

Eight of the men have been baptized, 4 of whom are in the school at 
the present time. 

A collection is taken each Sunday by one of the pupils. This forms a 
fund sufficient to furnish all the supplies needed in conducting the school. 

The treasurer reports : Balance January 1, 1894, $74.47 ; amount col- 
lected to date, $52.87 ; total, $127.34. Contributed to missionary collec- 
tion, $45.00 ; expended for books and lesson papers, $34.19 ; total, $79.19. 
Balance on hand, $48. 15. 

One of the most important branches of this school is the Greek de- 
partment, in charge of Mrs. M. E. McPherson, who, with her associates, 
gives faithful attention to this great work. The class was organized in 
1891, and has had enrolled from 40 to 50 pupils. 

Thus we are endeavoring by the aid of the Holy Spirit to implant in, 
the minds of these men from foreign shores immortal truths, bearing in 
mind the promise, “My word shall not return unto me void.” 


20 


Mr. Gilbert D. Fox said : 

There seems to be quite an effort on the part of speakers to be set right 
as to the matter of age. Having entered the Sunday-school as a scholar 
and advanced along the line as teacher and missionary president, and at 
last lived to greet the children of the boys who used to be in my own class, 
I feel here to-day almost like a grandfather. I rejoice to be once again in 
the Metropolitan Church. I am glad the chimes are still “attached,” and 
that in this matter-of-fact age sufficient deference is paid to sentiment to 
keep them ringing out from the Kelso spire. I am proud to be put down 
as one of Brother Bryant’s boys, and while so much of my life has been 
wasted that I have made no appreciable mark in the world, yet I am 
proud to see so very many young men in our community successful be- 
cause of Brother Bryant’s kind care and instruction. I know he was even 
more than father to me. I would like to mention the names of a few of 
these boys as they occur to me. I did not know them all, and forget 
some. There were Alex. Belaski and Wm. Van Arsdale, now preachers in 
our conference. Bobert Stead stands high among the architects of Wash- 
ington. W. H. Houghton is at the head of a large mercantile firm. 
Elkana N. Waters, now a pillar in the Episcopal Church, is secretary of 
the Board of Underwriters of the Distr.ct of Columbia. Mr. Bryant’s 
daughter, Nellie, married one of his boys, Charley Stearns. Nearly all the 
young men of our church prior to 1890 at one time or another passed 
through either the church class or Sunday-school class led by Brother 
Bryant. Prof. C. M. L. Sites is with us to-day, and Prof. Percy Hughes 
sends regrets ; both are Brother Bryant’s boys. He had a very large class 
of young men at Wesley Chapel before Metropolitan Church was organ- 
ized. There are many more, but time is not allowed me to even give the 
names. 

Occasions like this must al ways have a large vein of sadness, unless we 
look to the future as well as at the past. As for the dead, I can not but 
feel their presence here this beautiful afternoon. By their influence and 
precious memory they may always be with us, and should shape largely 
our present activity. From the “ Memorabilia” on the printed program 
it will be seen that our church was to be the church of a nation, and, 
placed at this metropolis, it has acquired the name “ Metropolitan.” But 
this only faintly indicates its position or mission. It is in reality “cosmo- 
politan,” and its power and example should reach around the world, as 
have the travels of its forme* pas', or, Bishop Newman. It is gratifying 
to see this Chinese class and to hear of the methods pursued by the Ep- 
worth League of the church, but they should only faintly adumbrate 
what the future will disclose as to the work accomplished by this church. 
It seems a shame that outside organizations should be permitted to do 
what can be done so much better by a church of this size and scope. Es- 
pecially is this true of every effort made to reach the stranger in our 
midst. 

I can not resist the impression that Metropolitan Church makes upon me 
as of a great ship — an ocean liner we will say. While we are gratified to 
witness these memorial i ablets and to know that the great men of this 
nation found here a church home and time to worship God, our hearts go 
out to those humbler ones who have worked below the decks, storing in 
the coal and raising the steam that has propelled her to this present proud 
position on the high seas of salvation. I hope these brave workers, almost 
unseen save of God, may never lose heart, and that the prayers and 
Pentecostal seasons still experienced in the lower sanctuary may never 
grow less. No pastor will succeed without them, and any success apart 
from such influences will be unreal and unsatisfactory. 

I am glad the wo kers of the church hold out and hold on so well. 
There is a great temptation to compare notes, to talk it all over, but in 



MR. CORNELIUS BURLEW. 


























21 


this busy world we can hardly afford time to bring our craft to anchor. 
As we pass and repass one by one, tacking and sometimes going before 
the wind, yet all steering for the same haven of rest, we cm only hoist 
the signal, “ All is well.” AVe are found at our post of duty, and God is 
pleased. At last — 

Safe home, safe home in port, 

Rent cordage, shattered deck, 

Torn sails, provisions short, 

And only not a wreck. 

But, oh ! the joy upon the shore, 

To tell our voyage perils o’er. 

Dr. AY in. S. AVasliburn, the first president of the Ep worth League, gave 
the following address : 

It was a wise man and a close observer who said, “ Show me a strong 
and progressive church, and I will show you an enthusiastic and effective 
organized body of the young people in and for the church. Organization 
of the young for the salvation oil the young is the greatest need of the 
church to-day.” The truth of this statement is attested by the compara- 
tively recent organization and unparalleled growth of the several young 
people’s societies connected with the various Protestant denominations. 

The Ep worth League was so recently born that, from its tender age 
alone, it can scarcely claim attention in these memorial exercises, as Met- 
ropolitan Church had been in existence quite twenty ye irs, covering the 
whole period of the several pastorates of Bishop Newman, before the 
league saw the light of day. Other than briefest remarks in retrospection 
ought not, therefore, to be expected at this time. 

The Sunday-school has been called the nursery of the church, and ours 
has been doing duty in this direction for a quarter of a century ; but the 
Epworth League is a training school for children of a larger growth, 
and our chapter has been in existence only one-fifth as long. On next 
Monday evening five years will have elapsed since Metropolitan chapter 
sprang into existence quite like Pallas-Athene, clad from head to foot in 
Pauline armor. Rev. Dr. Geo. H. Corey was then our pastor. He, with 
others, saw and felt the need of the aid and support of the younger church 
membership. It was in November, 1889, when Dr. Corey gave notice that 
a meeting would be held for the purpose of organizing a young people’s 
society in the church. It is scarcely necessary to recall with whao unanim- 
ity of thought and purpose the people came together and effected the organ- 
ization of a chapter of the Epworth League, which from that day unto this 
has been a positive, active, and effective Christian force at work in our 
midst, not for personal aggrandizement, but for the sake of Christian 
healthfulness and helpfulness. It was the first society organized under 
the name Epworth League in the District of Columbia, save one. Dum- 
barton Avenue Church, Georgetown, has the honor of having the first 
charter for the District. 

It is not a league in name only, but a harmonious and united 
body composed of the young people of the church and congregation, 
loyal to the church and its pastor. I say young, for, in paraphrase, men 
and women are only boys and girls grown tall ; hearts don’t change much 
(sometimes) after all. I think I but voice the sentiment of all in saying 
that the league from its inception became a reservoir of vital spiritual 
forces, from which have been constantly flowing streams of inspiring in- 
fluences ennobling all, even the stranger within our gates. AYitness the 
Sunday evening service ! Through summer’s heat and winter’s cold a 
goodly number of Godly workers have met for praise and sacred song, for 
self-help and to help one another. The work of our Epworth League 
goes on without regard to season. 

No words of mine can add anything in praise of those who have borne 
the heat and burden of the day, manifesting their loyalty and devotion 


to the Redeemer’s cause in faithfully supporting the church through 
well-directed organized effort. “Verily their works do follow them.” 
From the very beginning die young ladies have constituted a majority 
of the membership, and it is moie than probable that woman has done the 
greater part of the work in this branch of church activity, as well as in 
other branches. Some say it is fitting that she should, for tlm school, the 
church, and the home make up the tripod on whica rests the natural 
sphere of her usefulness. At any rate it ill becomes us not to acknowl- 
edge more frequently her patient, persistent, and telling work for a 
nobler manhood and womanhood in church and home and native land. 

I will not anticipate the memorial service proper which is to follow' this 
evening, but in running over the ro:l of the league I am reminded of 
the words of the poet — 

Some have gone to lands iar distant, 

And with strangers made tneir ho ne ; 

Some upon the world of waters 
All their lives are forced to toam ; 

Some are gone from us iorever, 

Longer here they might not stay— 

They have reached a fairer region 
Far away, far-away. 

Though dead they yet speak, for they have left us the lich legacy of 
noble and useful lives. They were not merely good, but good to do some- 
thing worthy of emulation. “ It is the -fashion of the day for people to 
shout until the welkin rings over many who have become notoriously 
great, but are not truly good. True greatness was long ago exemplified 
in Jesus Christ, w ho went about doing good. Happy through all eternity 
is that one who leaves in the memory of those who remain behind a glow 
of sunshine full of heavenly pow'er as he vanishes from the earth. In 
the gr.-at hereafter it will not be cons dered whether that one did some 
great deed, but whether he did some great good. Bravery and heroism 
are, indeed, essential elements of true manhood and womanhood, but it 
is the rugged courage of a hero in that youth’s soul who persistently 
stands by his Epworth motto, “Look up, lift up,” and does not com- 
promise with evil “ even though a thousand foes beset him round.” 

The league’s motto is worthy of our notice. It epitomizes a great dual 
truth, which I wish each one might hold in fond remembrance, espe- 
cially when you feel man’s inhumanity to man. It is your twofold 
relationship and duty to God and to your fellow men, tersely expressed 
in the forceful words, “ Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.” 

As I said in effect at the beginning, it is not retrospect, but prospect, 
which the league has to offer as its share in this afternoon’s. service. The 
movement of onr Epworth League had its origin in the assumption that 
there is work for young Christians, and that there aie some things young 
Christians can do which older Christians can not so easily accomplish. A 
story will illustrate this : On the coast of Normandy a woman, with her 
child in her arms, once became entanglt d in a stretch of quicksand and 
could not get free. A wagon drawn by strong horses was sent to the res- 
cue and sank in the sand. All means tried failed. At last a light-footed 
boy was sent speeding over the sands with a life-line, and mother and 
child were saved. 1 Our Epworth League is that light-footed boy, who can 
go where the heavy ecclesiastical wagon sinks by its own weight. Every 
Christian ought to regard himself as sent out with a life-line to help some- 
body or save somebody. One ought to do this, first, for his own sake ; 
second, your brother needs, perchance, the Christian assistance your 
activity can give. “ Old men for counsel, young men for action.” You 
can interest him in manly, invigorating physical exercise. It can be found 
in the gymnasium or cn the campus. Would that every church were in 
possession of these means by which young men could be reached and kept 
away from vice and corruption. Can not the church enter upon a 


broader avenue of usefulness through llie aid of its young people? Let 
the Ep worth League form an alliance with the Young Men’s Christian 
Association, if the church has not its own reading-room, debating room, 
gymnasium, etc., as one of the best methods at hand to reach, to direct, 
and to save the young of the cities everywhere. All instrumentalities 
must be made use of to perfect sound morals and a sound mind in a sound 
body, to the end that the temple of the mmortal soul shall not be defiled, 
and that piety may be free to enter and dwell therein forever. 

Here is a wide he’d for young Christian activity. Despise not the day 
of small things. Do not overlook small opportunities, little acts of kindly 
service; life is made up of these things. Underlying every opportunity, 
however trivial, is a duty, and underlying every duty is a destiny. If 
you learn the relation of opportunity to duty, God will teach you the 
relation of duty to destiny, and then you wall hold the highest treasure of 
His mercies in your grasp. Consecrate your life to others, and think of 
God’s power as always moving through this world. Lay hold of that 
power at every point of vantage. Remember always “ the end of man is 
not a mere thought, but an action — a series of manful, faithful actions (and 
of modest, silent, steadfast endurances withal), which make up worthily 
man’s life here below.” Remember also that “ the path of the just is as 
the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” 

Mr. Cornelius Burlew r said : 

I have been greatly honored by being thought worthy to fill the posi- 
tion of chorister these past twenty-five years in this great church, where 
the nation’s heroes have deemed it a privilege to worship at its sacred 
altars. Here I have witnessed many scenes of rejoicing, as well as of 
sorrow. I often recall the roll of our honored dead, whose good works are 
still so vivid in memory, and these thoughts of old friends gone, who w r ere 
so recently with us in our beloved church, admonish me that time is pass- 
ing, and that what I have to do must be done quickly. So let me say I 
sincerely hope that the sentiment of some song or gc spel hymn in which I 
have had a part may have stirred some life to better hope and deeds. 

During the service Mr. Burlew sang the song entitled, “ The Beautiful 
Light,” the audience joining in the chorus. 

During the afternoon Bishop and Mrs. John P. Newman entered 
the church, and were provided with seats about the altar, the bishop 
choosing a seat with the infant class. At the conclusion of one of the 
addresses, Dr. Johnston proposed “that we bear from the infant class, and 
that w T e call upon Bishop Newman to respond. ” The bishop, in a few well- 
chosen words, electrified all present by touching many of the golden 
chords that bind childhood and old age in sweet memories in Metropoli- 
tan Church. Mrs. Newman w T as then introduced, and talked for a few 
minutes to the edification of all present. 

In closing the service, Dr. Johnston said : 

I congratulate the school and league upon the success of this service. 
The Sunday-school is the teaching agency of the church. It is not an in- 
stitution apart from the church, but is, in fact, the church itself moving 
in a particular direction, acting upon the young. I also desire to empha- 
size the remark of the bishop on the importance of the Epworth League. 
Others have made the church what it is to-day ; you are to make the 
church of the future. If the record of the coming twenty-five years be as 
glorious as the history of the past, it will be because of yr ur fidelity and 
your consecration to Christ and His church. May God’s richest blessing 
rest upon the Metropolitan Sunday-school and Epworth League. 









. 














MR, SAMUEL FOWLER. 




























EVENIN O SERVICE. 


S F\ M. 

The anniversary meeting was held at 8 o’clock. Bishop John P. New- 
man presided. Rev. J. H. McCarty offered prayer. After the singing 
of the hymn, “ From all that Dwell Below the Skies,” Bishop Newman, 
in a brief address, introduced the following program : 

Historical sketch of the Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal Church, by 
Mr. Andrew B. Duvall : 

“ Thou shalt remember all the way the Lord led thee.”— Deut. 8 : 2. 

Methodism had been planted in the District of Columbia when the seat 
of the Federal Government was located here. It kept pace fairly with the 
increase of population, but it had no churches of any considerable size. 
About the middle of the century the movement began for the erection of 
a national church at the capital, representative in its character, and af- 
fording a home for Methodists from all sections of the country, called here 
by business or pleasure. 

On March 30, 1852, Clias. W. Boteler, Wm. G. Deale, Chas. LI. Lane, 
Samuel Norment, Dr. Flodoardo Howard, Thomas Pursell, Thomas H. 
Ilavenner, and Z. W. McKnew, members of old Wesley Chapel, pur- 
chased the property at the southwest corner of Four-and-a-half and C 
streets, upon which the church was afterwards erected. This location was 
then in the most desirable residence portion of the city. 

The history of the Metropolitan Church is unlike that of any other 
erected in the denomination, in that the General Conferences have adopted 
it from its inception and dealt with it in an altogether exceptional man- 
ner. On May 10, 1852, the General Conference passed the following res- 
olution : “That, regarding the success of the enterprise as of high im- 
portance to the interests of Methodism throughout the country, we will 
give it our individual influence in our respective annual conferences, 
and by all appropriate means aid in its promotion.” 

At the session of the Baltimore Conference, March 2, 1853, the Rev. 
Henry Sheer, D. D., one of the ablest men in the conference, was 
appointed agent. He collected considerable money, which was applied to 
the purchase of the land, but the agitated state of the country caused the 
enterprise to lag until the session of the General Conference of 1856. 
There, upon the report of a committee consisting of Rev. Drs. John Mc- 
Clintock, M. Raymond, J. P. Durbin, J. V. Watson, and Edward Thomp- 
son, the conference resolved, “That we erect in the metropolis of our 
nation a large, attractive denominational church edifice, which should be 
regarded as a connectional monument to our beloved Methodism, as ex- 
pressive of our gratitude to God for the honor he has vouchsafed to con- 
fer on us in making us the instruments of spreading Scriptural holiness 
so extensively through these lands ; that the honor of the church is 
pledged to the accomplishment of this enterprise, and so pledged that its 
failure would subject the church to merited reproach.” Also, resolved, 
“That, in view of the connectional character of the Metropolitan Church, it 
is the judgment of this General Conference that the bishops in making 
appointments should, by a transfer, supply said church with pastors suc- 

25 


cessively from all parts of our work.” The Baltimore Conference then 
appointed Rev. W. M. D. Ryan as agent. He succeeded in laying the 
foundation for the main edifice. 

On October 23, 1854, the corner stone was laid. Bishop Matthew Simp- 
son conducted the services, assisted by Rev. Dr. Win. Hamilton and 
others. The ceremonies were very imposing. 

The general financial depression which followed caused a suspension of 
the work a second time. 

In April, 1866, Bishops Simpson an'd Ames, whose personal interest in 
the enterprise never flagged, induced Rev. F. S. DeHaas, D. D., of the 
New York East Conference, to undertake the building of the church. His 
laborious and earnest efforts from one end of the land to the other, visit- 
ing the conferences and eloquently presenting the cause, were rewarded 
with such material encouragement that the present edifice was constructed 
upon the old foundations. He secured contributions, large and small, in 
all sections of the Union, among the largest contributors at home being 
Messrs. M. G. Emery, Samuel Norment, Francis A. Lutz, Thomas J. S. 
Perry, Wm. B. Jackson, Thomas L. Tullock, Benjamin Charlton, and 
Samuel Fowler. 

Among the notable gifts to the church at the time of its erection were 
the memorial windows ; the handsome organ from Mr. Carlos Pierce, of 
Massachusetts ; the beautiful communion service from Mrs. James Foster, 
of New York, in memory of her deceased husband ; and the stone from 
Jerusalem, with the inscription, “ Jehovah Jireli,” being the keystone in 
the arch above the pulpit, from Dr. DeHaas. Over the pulpit is a circu- 
lar stained-glass window in full view of the congregation, typifying the 
descent of the Spirit, with the encircling legend, “ He that belie veth on 
the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” The pulpit was de- 
signed by Bishop Simpson, and is partly made from olive wood from the 
Holy City. In the vestibule there is a portion of tessellated marble pave- 
ment from the debris of Solomon’s Temple. Upon the windows of the 
church are the following inscriptions, almost constituting a centenary me- 
morial of early American Methodism : 

Bishops of Methodist Episcopal Church : Beverly Waugh ; died Febru- 
ary 9, 1858. Richard Whatcoat ; died July 5, 1806. Wm. McKendree ; 
died March 5, 1835; Enoch George ; died August 23, 1828. Robert R. 
Roberts ; died March 28, 1843. Elijah Hedding ; died April 9, 1852. John 
Emory; died December 16, 1835. Thomas Coke; died May 3, 1814. 
Francis Asbury ; died March 31, 1816. 

Rev. Robert Strawbridge, founder of the first Methodist society in 
Maryland, 1760. 

Rev. Asabel E. Phelps ; died March 15, 1853 ; of Illinois Conference. 

Rev. Jesse Walker ; died October 4, 1835 ; aged 69. 

Stephen Olin, D. D., and Nathan Bangs, D. D., of New York East Con- 
ference. 

James Floy, D. D., and John Kentiaday, D. D., of New York East Con- 
ference. 

Thomas Armstrong, of Baltimore, for sixty years a member of the Old 
City Station. Died in peace November 14, 1868. 

Col. John Berry; died October 17, 1856. “ My work is done.” By his 

son, Gen. J. S. Berry. 

Rev. John M. Green, M. D. ; died at Washington, D. C., December 28, 
1877 ; aged 66. “ Servant of God, well done ! ” 

John Coggeshall, esq.; born in Essex County, England, 1591 ; died in 
Newport, R. I., November 27, 1649. 

Rev. Jesse Lee and Dan. Webb, apostles of Methodism in New T Eng- 
land ; by David Snow, esq., Boston, Mass. 

Rev. John Summerfield, an eloquent minister of Christ; died June 13, 
1825 ; aged 27. “All is perfection.” 


27 


Rev. Samuel M. Dickson, of Baltimore Conference ; died November 13, 
1866 ; aged 29. 

Carlos Pierce ; born at Stantstead, 1831 ; died 1870. Romans 12.— 
“ Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” 

A grateful offering of an only son. To the memory of his sainted parents, 
Edward and Eliza Revere, and his sister, Mary E. Revere, of New York. 

Rev. John Strange, pioneer preacher in Indiana ; died December 2, 
1852 ; aged 46. 

Wm. H. Raper, D. D., of Cincinnati Conference ; diedFebuary 11, 1852. 

Chas. Elliott, I). D., LL. D. ; died at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, January 6, 
1869 ; aged 76. 

Rev. Russell Bigelow, Rev. John Collins, and Rev. Jacob Young, of the 
Ohio Conference. 

Our fallen missionaries: Mrs. Francis J. Wiley; died at Foo Chow, 
China, November 3, 1853 ; aged 27. “ If I had a thousand lives, I would 

give all for China.” Mrs. Marilla P. Pierce, adopted daughter of F. T. 
Peck, D. D. ; died in India November!, 1862 ; aged 27. “ Pie givetli his 

beloved sleep. ’ ’ 

Wm. Hamilton, D.' D., for fifty-three years an honored member of the 
Baltimore Annual Conference; died February 5, 1872; aged 73. ‘‘He 
was not, for God took him.” 

Mark Stephenson, M. D., founder of the first German Methodist Sun- 
day-school in New York ; died August 28, 1865 ; aged 62. 

Hon. John McLean, LL. D., one of the judges of the TJ. S. Supreme 
Court ; died April 4, 1861. 

The church was dedicated on February 28, 1869, in the presence of a 
vast concourse of people from all parts of the land. Bishop Simpson 
preached in the morning ; text, Ezekiel 47:9. In the afternoon, Rev. W. 
Morley Punshon, A. M., the distinguished Wesleyan ; text, 1 Peter 2:4. 
In the evening, Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, I) D. ; text, 1 Corinthians 4:4. 
The dedicatory services were conducted by Bishop Simpson, assisted by 
Rev. Drs. DeHaas, Plamilton, Kynett, and Cookman. 

A singular coincidence occurred on dedication day. Dr. Punshon had 
selected for his sermon the same text used by Bishop Simpson for the 
morning discourse, and he was compelled to change both his text and 
subject. It is worthy of comment that, while the Dominion of Canada 
loaned us her Punshon twenty-five years ago, at this anniversary we find 
as our beloved pastor another Canadian, Rev. Hugh Johnston, D. D., the 
biographer of Punshon. 

On the Tuesday evening following the dedication the Rev. Dr. Punshon 
lectured on “ John Bunyon,” and two grand organ concerts were given by 
Mr. Eugene Thayer, of the Boston music hall. This was the week of Gen. 
Grant’s first inauguration, and the city was thronged with visitors. 

On Easter Sunday, March 28, 1869, the church was organized by Rev. 
John P. Newman, D.*D., as pastor. He received 94 persons into mem- 
bership by letter and 3 on probation. An immense congregation was 
present, among whom were the President, the Vice-President, the Chief 
Justice of the United States, and many members of Congress and repre- 
sen ative citizens. Dr. Newman’s text was Matthew 28:6. 

The Sunday-school was organized at the same time, with David A. Burr, 
esq., as superintendent; Miss Cornelia A. Pursell, being then, as now, 
principal of the primary department ; George W. Gray, its treasurer ; 
and Mr. Cornelius Burlew, then, as now, chorister of the school. 

The pew for the President of the United States was set apart as the gift 
of Mr. Thomas Kelso, of Baltimore ; one for the Vice-President as the gift 
of Gen. John S. Berry, of Baltimore ; and one for the Chief Justice as the 
gift of Mr. Daniel Drew, of New York. Gen. Grant occupied his pew for 
eight years, Vice-President Colfax his pew for four years, and Chief Jus- 
tice Chase his pew for four years. Pews were also set apart and marked 
for several of the States and larger cities. 


28 


The original board of trustees consisted of Gen. U. S. Grant, Chief Jus- 
tice S. P. Chase, Hon. M. G. Emery, Samuel Norment, Samuel Fowler, 
Francis A. Lutz, Dr. F. Howard, Thomas L. Tullock, and David A. Burr. 
All are now deceased except Hon. M. G. Emery and Mr. Samuel Fowler. 

Dr. Newman’s first pastorate continued for three years, the limit of serv- 
ice then allowed by the Discipline. He filled the full measure of anticipa- 
tion ; and the pulpit of Metropolitan Church became known throughout 
the land, at once exercising a mighty influence for righteousness and mak- 
ing Methodism conspicuous. 

When the church was dedicated, there remained a debt of $75,000, the 
structure having cost in the neighborhood of $200,000. Twenty -five 
thousand dollars of this indebtedness was a floating debt, and $50,000 was 
represented by bonds secured upon the church property. The floating 
indebtedness was liquidated during Dr. Newman’s first pastorate, one of 
the instrumentalities being a national committee, of which Mrs. Grant, 
wife of Gen. Grant, was chairman. This committee sent out an appeal in 
the shape of an autograph letter by Mrs. Grant, and secured upwards of 
$ 8 , 000 . 

Washington Methodism had far exceeded the utmost limits of expecta- 
tion in its contributions for the erection of the church. It was never the 
intention that the payment of this bonded debt should fall upon the con- 
gregation worshiping here. The enterprise was in its inception pro- 
fessedly a connectional enterprise for Methodism at large. Accordingly, 
a memorial was presented to the General Conference of 1872, reciting the 
dedication of the church, its successful operation for three years, and the 
existence of the bonded debt, provisions for the payment of which, it was 
claimed, should be made by the General Conference. This was a unique 
memorial, signed by the President of the United States and the Chief 
Justice of the United States, in connection with the other trustees of the 
church. 

The General Conference of May, 1872, adopted a report, which states : 
“ The action of previous conferences is fully recognized ; the Metropolitan 
Church is a connectional enterprise. It has been erected under the highest 
sanction of the church and for the people of the whole country.” 

At a meeting of the bishops following the conference the trustees of the 
church were advised to communicate the facts to the “ general committee 
on church extension,” which recommended the “board of church ex- 
tension” to indorse the bonds of the church for $35,000, with a deed of 
trust on the property as security, provided the trustees of the church 
would guarantee the punctual payment of interest on the bonds, and that 
all other indebtedness of the church be removed. The board of church 
extension, however, declined to indorse the bonds of the church, because 
they were advised they had no legal authority, under their charter, to in- 
dorse any bonds. This was a grave disappointment at the time, and 
seriously imperiled the effort to provide for the debt. The compensation 
came, however, six years afterwards, when Chaplain McCabe, the secre- 
tary of the same board, performed his herculean task. 

Before their declination had been communicated, and with the hope 
that relief would be thus afforded, Rev. Otis H. Tiffany, D. I)., who was 
then pastor of the church, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Ives, of Auburn, N. 
Y., obtained a very large subscription in the church; and on the 
1st of January, 1874, the $50,000 deed of trust was released, and a new 
deed of trust, to secure $35,000 in bonds, was executed, and at the same 
time the trustees entered into a personal obligation to pay the interest on 
these bonds. 

In 1876 the matter of the debt was again laid before the General Con- 
ference, and the bishops were authorized to appoint an agent for the 
church. In November, 1876, they appointed Rev. Dr. Newman, who was 
then pastor of the church. Dr. Newman, in the midst of his pastorate, 





























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\ 



REV. ROBT. N. BAER. REV. HUGH JOHNSTON. REV. THOS. M. EDDY. 

„ _ • -w . . 

REV. H. R. NAYLOR. REV. O. ^ TIFFANY. REV. E. D. HUNTLEY. 



29 


made an appeal to the church at large and went out on a lecture tour, and 
by this means secured $4,000. 

The General Conference was again appealed to, and in 1880 it requested 
the bishops to adopt measures to secure the payment of the debt. Finan- 
cial affairs had now reached a deplorable condition. Suit had been brought 
against the trustees personally on the bond for accumulated interest, and 
a crisis seemed imminent. The bishops requested and authorized Chaplain 
C. C. McCabe to raise the money. He was then engrossed in his arduous 
duties as secretary of the Church Extension Society, but without in the 
least diminishing his labors in that office, he inaugurated an effort to 
extinguish the debt. He proposed to Rev. R. N. Baer, D. D., then 
pastor of the church, that if the congregation would raise $15,000 (in ad- 
dition to the $4,000 secured by Dr. Newman on his lecture tour), he 
and Bishop Simpson would assume the balance of the debt. This propo- 
sition was acceded to, and Dr. Baer, assisted by Bishop Andrews, then 
resident bishop, secured the required amount ; while Chaplain McCabe, 
by popular subscriptions, involving an immense amount of personal labor, 
secured the sum of $30,294.27, making in all the sum of $50,294.27, with 
which the bonded debt, with its accrued interest, and the floating debt 
were liquidated ; and on the 27th day of January, 1884, ‘‘ Emancipation 
Day ” was celebrated. In the morning Bishop Simpson preached ; text, 
Isaiah 42:4. In the evening Chaplain McCabe preached ; text, Num- 
bers 13:30. 

This closed the long and disheartening chapter of the burdensome and 
crushing debt which had rested upon the church for fifteen years. It was 
the stone of Sisyphus, which continually rolled back upon the weary 
burden bearers. There were days and years when the possibility of relief 
seemed hopeless. But in all this time the faithful men and women of the 
Metropolitan Church were contributing liberally of their means to all the 
connectional enterprises, the collections of the church during the first nine 
years averaging $20,000. 

The connectional collections to March, 1894, were as follows : Confer- 
ence claimants, $5,442.45 ; missionary (church), $9,918.73 ; missionary 
(Sunday-school), $10,620.15; Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, $4,- 
020.39; Woman’s Home Missionary Society, $1,257 ; Church Extension, 
$1,113.64 ; Tract Society, $98.07 ; American Bible Society, $517.90 ; Sun- 
day-school Union, $222.32 ; Freedman’s Aid and Southern Educational 
Society, $716.69; education, $360; children’s fund, $95 ; total, $34,388.34. 
Totals for years : 1870, $767.29 ; 1880, $754.96 ; 1890, $1,809 ; 1894, $2,592. 

During the struggle with the debt the church was fortunate in having 
as the president of its board of trustees the Hon. Matthew G. Emery, as 
the treasurer of its funded debt Hon. Thomas L. Tullock (now deceased), 
and as treasurer Mr. Samuel Fowler, men of proven financial ability and 
resources. 

But while for a period of fifteen years the debt clouded the horizon, the 
history of that period is far from a mere successful struggle with a huge 
debt, however creditable that is conceded to have been ; for during all 
of these years the glorious gospel had been faithfully preached, attend- 
ance upon public service had been large, the membership of the church 
and Sunday-school had increased, and all the work of an evangelical 
church had been done, and well done. 

When the church was dedicated, it was still incomplete, for it was with- 
out the spire, and also without the iron railing. Mrs. A. Ensign Newman, 
the wife of Dr. Newman, secured contributions and donations to fully 
complete the structure, as well as to furnish a fountain for the school room. 
On Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1871, the spire, with the chime of 
bells, was dedicated. The spire was named after Mr. Thomas Kelso, of 
Baltimore, who gave $5,000 for its erection. He had previously given 


30 


$7,000 for the erection of the church. The chimes were the gift of sev- 
eral individuals. The inscriptions upon the bells are as follows : 

A. Ensign Newman, wife of Rev. J. P. Newman, D. D., first pastor of 
the Metropolitan Memorial M. E. Church. “She hath done what she 
could.” — Mark 14:8. 

Mrs. Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., New York City. “ Holiness unto the 
Lord.” 

Mrs. Drake Mills, Williamstown, Mass. “ The poor shall hear thereof 
and be glad.” 

Mrs. John B. Cornell, New York City. “ 0, come ! Let us worship and 
bow down.” 

Julia Dent Grant, wife of U. S. Grant, President of the United States 
of America. 

Nellie Wade Colfax, wife of Schuyler Colfax, Vice-President of the 
United States of America. 

Mrs. Governor Cooke, wife of II. D. Cooke, first governor of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia. 

Miss Amanda L. Grant, daughter of Capt. A. Grant. “ Remember now 
thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” 

Mrs. Ellen Y. Daniel, Baltimore, Md. “ I was glad when they said 
unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” 

Infant class of the Metropolitan Memorial M. E. Church. “ Of such is 
the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

The efforts of Mrs. Newman were recognized by the presentation to her 
by Mr. Tullock, on behalf of the trustees, of a bouquet of flowers, contain- 
ing $550 in greenbacks, which she reluctantly accepted, and only with the 
understanding that it would be donated to some good purpose. With it 
she presented two bells for churches in India and one in China, so that 
the notes in the chiming of the Metropolitan bells are heard afar in 
heathen lands. In the evening of the same day Dr. and Mrs. Newman 
held a reception in the parlors of the church, among the guests being the 
President and Mrs. Grant and many distinguished public officials. 

On February 1, 1876, a terrible wind storm visited this locality, and the 
graceful and beautiful spire was badly wrecked. Riggers from the United 
States navy yard scaled the dizzy height s to put it in place, and, under 
the directions of Mr. W. T. Dewdney of the Treasury Department, the 
spire was firmly and securely restored to its original position. Mr. Chas. 
E. Walker assisted in this work, as he had in the construction of the main 
edifice. Dr. Newman gave a lecture to pay for the cost Off repairs. 

For more than fifteen years Prof. Frederick Widdows was in charge of 
the chimes. On every Sunday the familiar gospel tunes have been heard 
all over the city ; the old year has been rung out and the new year rung 
in, and appropriate chimes have been rung for all the holidays. The 
present cliimer is Prof. Gibson. 

In March, 1873, Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, D. D., was appointed pastor of 
the church. His pastorate was terminated in May of the same year by 
his election by the General Conference, to which he was a delegate, as 
missionary secretary, which office he filled with the greatest acceptability 
to the time of his death, in October, 1874. Dr. Eddy was one of the 
ablest men of our denomination. His matchless eloquence and his tire- 
less zeal forever enshrine his name in the annals of Methodism. 

Rev. Otis H. Tiffany, D. D., was the next pastor, serving until 1875. 
During his pastorate the church flourished and its membership increased. 
Among the notable events were the baptism of the Indian chief “ Dave,” 
the reception attended by Gen. Grant and his cabinet, and the addresses by 
foreign ministers who had been attending the Evangelical Alliance in New 
York. Dr. Tiffany officiated at the marriage of Miss Nellie Grant at the 
White House. After serving his full term at the Metropolitan Church, Dr. 
Tiffany continued his ministry in the leading churches until his death at 


31 


Minneapolis in 1893. He was a superb man and a peerless preacher. 
Who can forget his marvelous voice or the majestic and beautiful language 
in which he delivered the gospel message ? 

In March, 1875, Hr. Newman succeeded Dr. Tiffany. On the 4th of 
July* 1876, the centennial of American independence, there was a nota- 
ble special service held in the church, addresses being delivered by Dr. 
Newman and Senator Wright, of Iowa ; an original poem by L. A. Go- 
bright, esq.; Mrs. John C. Tasker sang the “ Star Spangled Banner,” the 
congregation joining in the chorus ; a collection was taken for the Wash- 
ington Monument. 

In March, 1876, the Baltimore Conference, Bishop Bowman presiding, 
held its session in the church. Dr. Newman was elected a delegate to the 
General Conference. 

In May, 1876, the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society held its session 
in the church. 

Rev. Henry R. Naylor, D. D., was appointed pastor in March, 1878, 
and served with acceptability for two years. His pulpit ministrations 
were appreciated by large congregations, and his pastoral care endeared 
him to the membership. A great grief visited him in the loss of his ex- 
cellent wife, and he felt constrained to ask a change in his field of labor 
at the end of his second year. 

Dr. Naylor was succeeded by Rev. Robert N. Baer, D. D., March, 1880. 
The youngest pastor of Metropolitan Church, Dr. Baer was excep- 
tionally gifted ; of large frame and noble bearing ; of womanly modesty 
and manly grace. He preached the gospel here for three years with elo- 
quence and impressiveness. The charm of his deep-toned voice and 
earnest manner is recalled with mournful pleasure, as we remember that 
on September 28, 1888, in the midst of a successful career in Baltimore, 
at the age of 48, he was suddenly called from labor to reward. 

In 1881 the Chinese school was organized by Harry 0. Hall. Miss 
S. L. Sommers is now in charge of the school. 

In March, 1883, Rev. E. D. Huntley, D. D., was transferred from the 
Wisconsin Conference and stationed at the Metropolitan Church. His 
pastorate extended over three years. Mrs. Huntley was his most efficient 
helper. The prayer meetings during this period were well attended and 
were always occasions of profit and interest. During his term, in March, 
1886, the Baltimore Conference held its sessions in the church, Bishop 
Ninde presiding. 

In March, 1886, Dr. Newman was appointed pastor of the church for 
the third time. There are many changes in a Washington congregation 
in the course of eight years, and he doubtless missed many familiar faces 
and faithful' friends, but. his remarkable pulpit powers soon filled the 
church with congregations. almost equal to the old-time throngs. The 
Arch geological class was instituted, to the delight of the people, while the 
special discourses of holy week attracted crowded audiences. .In the 
midst of his term the General Conference, in May, 1888, laid its hands 
upon him and called him to a wider field of usefulness by electing him 
one of the bishops of the church. Before leaving the Metropolitan Church, 
Dr. Newman had the church repaired and the main auditorium refrescoed, 
causing the interior of the church to be thoroughly renovated. 

In the fall of 1888 Rev. G. H. Corey, D. D., of the New York East 
Conference, was transferred to the Baltimore Conference and appointed 
pastor of the Metropolitan Church. For five years this scholarly and 
eloquent minister served this church, and all its interests prospered. 
During his term the Epworth League was organized, November 12, 1889, 
with Wm. S. Washburn as its first president. The league has flourished 
exceedingly; all of its departments of work are being vigorously prosecuted 
by the young people of the church. Its second president, Mr. C. M. 
Lacey Sites, has been recently elected president of the Fourth General 
Conference District Epworth League. 


32 


On March 25, 1890, Bishop John F. Hurst held the first public meeting 
at which he presented the plan for the American University, on which 
occasion addresses were delivered by Bishop Hurst, Bishop Newman, and 
Senator Colquitt. 

On October 28, 1890, the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
held their semiannual meeting here, and a largely attended reception 
was tendered them by the Methodists of this city. 

On October 7-20, 1891, the Second Ecumenical Methodist Conference 
held its sessions in our church. On this memorable occasion delegates from 
all quarters of the world were in attendance. President Harrison, upon 
invitation, appeared and addressed the conference. 

It is also worthy of record that the initial public meetings for the Meth- 
odist Home and the Deaconess Home were held in this church. 

Mural tablets are erected on the wall near the pulpit — one, of bronze, to 
Gen. Grant ( see plate), and the other, in marble, to Gen. Logan ( see plate). 

Bishop John F. Hurst, resident bishop, is an attendant upon our church. 
In January, 1893, a reception was given to him and his wife and to Rev. 
S. L. Bieler, Ph. D., the vice-chancellor of the American University, and 
his wife, who are also attendants. 

In March, 1893, Rev. Hugh Johnston, 1> D., of Canada, was appointed 
supply for the Metropolitan Church until his admission to the Cincinnati 
Conference, from which he was transferred to the Baltimore Conference 
and appointed our pastor. Dr. Johnston’s family was from New Jersey, but 
in early youth his father removed to Canada, where his son entered the 
Wesleyan ministry and filled the best appointments in Toronto, Hamil- 
ton, and Montreal. He has greatly endeared himself to the people, alike 
by his pulpit ministrations and his pastoral work. The membership is 
working harmoniously, and all the indications of a successful pastorate 
are manifest. The present membership is 581. 

The board of trustees, March 28, 1894, consisted of Hon. M. G. Emery, 
Samuel Fowler, Andrew B. Duvall, Benjamin Charlton (now deceased), 
S. S. Henlde, A. D. Lynch, A. P. Lacey, Fred. E. Tasker, and George W . 
Gray. 

One of our notable institutions is the “Strangers’ Class,” held imme- 
diately after the morning services. Theodore W. Tallmadge is the pres- 
ent leader. 

In addition to the Chinese missionary work, which has been mentioned, 
Brother John W. Matchett, an exhorter in this church and one of its 
original members, labors specially among the Hebrews, while Mrs. Mary 
E. McPherson has an interesting class of young Greeks. 

From the Metropolitan Church have gone forth as missionaries to foreign 
fields Miss Swaney to Mexico, Miss Christiancy to South America, Miss 
Easton to India, and Miss Ruth Sites to China ; and from the church 
have also gone forth as preachers of the gospel Frank H. Havenner of 
the Baltimore Conference (son of Thomas H. Havenner, one of the earliest 
and most active workers in the movement for the erection of the Metro- 
politan Church), Alexander Bielaski of the Baltimore Conference, Henry 
C. Weakley of the Ohio Conference, James Thoburn of the Pitts- 
burg Conference (son of Bishop Thoburn), Edward S. Tasker of the New 
Hampshire Conference (son of A. P. Tasker, the first organist of the 
church), Lockwood Ensign of the New York Conference (nephew of Mrs. 
Dr. Newman), and Ruter W. Springer of the Baltimore Conference (son 
of the. Hon. William M. Springer), now a chaplain in the United States 
Army. 

The church treasurers from the first have had onerous labors imposed 
upon them. Never will be forgotten the valuable and faithful services of 
those previously named, and John A. Ruff, Charles C. Burr, John C. 
Tasker, W. F. Gapen, and the present treasurer, James M. Holmes. 

The care of the children and young people has not been neglected. The 















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mural tablet in metropolitan church. 



Sunday-school has been faithfully cared for. Its first superintendent, 
David A. Burr, esq., was consecrated, enthusiastic, and progressive; he 
was the Sunday-school leader in this section. The friend and follower of 
Vincent, he put into operation the instrumentalities and methods of 
modern Sunday-school work, and laid the foundations for the future suc- 
cess of the school. The superintendents who followed him with efficient 
services were John A. Ruff, Andrew B. Duvall, Anderson P. Lacey, Harry 
(). Hall, Thomas G. Ilensey, Percy M. Hughes, and the present success- 
ful superintendent, Thomas H. McKee. The school now numbers 77 
officers and 438 scholars. 

The ministers whose names are connected with the Metropolitan Church 
have been men of distinction. AVhile serving this church, Drs. Slicer, 
Newman, and Huntley were chaplains of the Senate ; Dr. Eddy was elected 
missionary secretary ; Dr. Newman was elected bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Dr. Dellaas was consul to Jerusalem; Dr. Naylor 
was presiding elder of this district. One of our layman, S. S. Henkle, esq., 
was elected a delegate from the Baltimore Conference to the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held in May, 1892. 

The faithful ones who to-day love this Zion, and whose prayers con- 
tinually ascend for its prosperity while they joyfully labor for the Lord, 
surely have “ a goodly heritage.” 

The “ Roll of the Dead ” was delivered by Rev. Plugh Johnston : 

We are commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of this time- 
honored sanctuary, hallowed by ten thousand precious associations and 
fragrant with ten thousand tender memories. In our rejoicings we pay 
the tribute of respect and honor to those whose names will be forever 
associated with the Metropolitan Church and linked with the history of 
Methodism in this city and land. All nations honor their great men, if 
not while living, certainly when death comes, and when the Christian 
dead pass from us, we should record our gratitude for their worth. The 
human forces of the church of God are its living men of zeal and wisdom, 
force and piety, while its treasures are the blessed and holy memories of 
those who have been removed to the church triumphant in Heaven. We 
record these names, not only as a memorial, but as an inspiration, that 
others may emulate their fidelity and follow their example. As autumn 
leaves falling upon the ground enrich the earth beneath, so these church 
members who have fallen leave a golden heritage to those who come after 
them. How touching it is to record the names of many who were pillars 
and ornaments of the church, and how beautiful is the perspective which 
death gives ! Every admirer of natural landscape is aware of the soften- 
ing power of distance. Browning, the poet, speaks of a very common 
thing — a windmill. Near it, what a roar and tear it makes ; how it grinds 
and bruises ; but — 

Seen at a distance ; radiating 

Its delicate white arms against the sky. 

So soft and soundless, it is simply beautiful. 

Thus it is with the character of our vanished friends. Mingling with 
them in the varied intercourses of life, we are aware of their inconsisten- 
cies and defects, their inequalities of temper, their asperities of manner ; 
but viewed in the retrospect, the rough is so softened, the hard so mel- 
lowed, that the failures and imperfections are forgotten, and that which 
is immortal alone survives. 

I begin with a record of the pastors who have fallen. It is remark- 
able that for one-third of the period of the church’s history this pulpit 
has been occupied by our beloved bishop, and of those who occupied the 
remaining time one-half are dead. 

Rev. Thomas M. Eddy is embalmed in the imperishable remembrance 
of all who knew him. He was a bright and shining light of the church, 


and when called suddenly from his untiring labors here to the higher 
service of the church above, as he was breathing his last, he exclaimed, 
“ Sing and pray ; eternity dawns ! ” We have been linked to him through 
his own mother, who spent the closing days of her beautiful old age in 
this city with her daughter, Mrs. Somers, of Mt. Vernon Seminary. I 
had the privilege of visiting her, and though her sufferings were intense, 
no murmur escaped her lips. On one occasion I sang, “ I am Trusting, 
Lord, in Thee ; ” with uplifted hands, she said, “ That is my experience.’ ’ 
She was 94 years of age, and just before entering the sleep of death 
she waved her hands in triumph and a look of rapture unutterable came 
into her face. Rev. Otis H. Tiffany was a man of marvelous natural 
gifts, highly cultivated. His sermons were characterized by deep thought, 
practical wisdom, charming variety, graphic power, and great earnestness. 
He was a kingly man, and the tidings of his death in Minneapolis fell 
with a sense of personal bereavement in ten thousand homes and hearts. 
Rev. Robert Baer was so consistent, so exemplary, so humble, so gentle and 
kind, that he was everybody’s friend and nobody’s enemy. The church 
bears testimony to the excellence of his character as a man and to his 
Christian affection as a minister. 

Coming now to the first trustee board (there are only two members of 
the original number now living, the Hon. Matthew G. Emery and Brother 
Samuel Fowler — and long may they be spared to us), first is the name 
of the greatest hero in modern military annals, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. 
His removal from the heart of the nation was like the disappearance of a 
great island from the midst of the sea. His life, embodying all that was 
noble in patriotism and lovely in virtue, reached it? culminating glory, 
not on the field of Appomattox or in the White House as the ruler of 
a reunited nation, but when feeling the cold hands of death clutching 
at his throat, he sat down and wrote the story of his life that those 
whom he loved might be left in comfort ; and then amid the waving pines 
of Mt. McGregor breathed out his life into his Maker’s hands. Samuel 
Norment was one of the charter members of the church and a trustee, 
who gave at least $10,000 to the building fund. Francis A. Lutz was one 
whom everybody loved, generous, and deeply interested in every depart- 
ment of church work. His aged widow lingers with us in feeble health, 
and his children’s children are a benediction to the church. David A. 
Burr was one of the most active of spirits, bright, vigorous, and aggressive. 
He was our first Sunday-school superintendent. His removal to New 
York was a great loss to the church. He also has been promoted to the 
glories of the skies. Dr. Flodoardo Howard was another beautiful, 
sympathetic, Christ-like soul (for forty years the family physician of some 
of you), who seemed to belong to the whole community just as we feel 
that the light of the sun and the beauty and fragrance of the flowers are 
ours. His wife, also a sincere Christian, and a devoted son have been re- 
moved from us by death. And what shall we say of the secretary of 
the board, Thomas Logan Tullock, so long the ornament and pride of our 
officiary? In all the various public positions in which his eminent 
ability placed him he was most efficient and faithful. A Christian great- 
heart, he was devoted to his friends and unswerving in his religious con- 
victions. He was a fine student, with cultivated tastes, and loved the 
service of the Lord. When at Atlantic City his hour of death drew near. 
Though a surprise to his friends, it was no surprise to himself, and he 
said to his wife that he had not left preparations for the other world to so 
late an hour There is one other name belonging to the first board of 
trustees — the illustrious name of Chief Justice Chase. The service which 
he rendered to his country in the chief counsels of the nation will be 
remembered for generations to come. He was the first member of the 
Cabinet (as Secretary of the Treasury) to give employment to women in 
the Civil Service. His integrity was as unsullied as the ermine which he 


35 


wore. At a communion not long before his untimely death, after all the 
others had partaken, a solitary man came from his seat and, kneeling 
humbly as though most unworthy, received from the hands of his pastor, 
I)r. Newman, the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of his 
Redeemer. Those were brilliant days of the church when the first 
officers of the nation — the patriotic President, the incorruptible Grant ; 
Vice-President Colfax, without blemish in public or private life ; the 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; the beloved Gen. Logan, always to 
the front — were among its constant worshipers. 

Coming now to the membership, I shall be forgiven if I omit names 
that have not been recorded on the church roll and pass over many with 
onty the mention, dwelling briefly on the more conspicuous personalities. 
Following the alphabetical list, the first to be named is Dr. Charles Adams. 
He was an eminent New England minister and professor of Hebrew 
and Greek in the college at Concord. Retiring from active work, he came 
to this city in 1872, and from that time until his death was closely allied 
with the church. Like Enoch he walked with God, and like him the 
angel of the Lord carried his beloved suddenly away. He was seated at the 
table about to eat an orange, when without a moment’s warning his spirit 
fled. “ God’s finger touched him, and he slept.” He belonged to the 
kingly builders of this nation. His body rests side by side in New England 
with his father, grandfather, an d great grandfather — four generations. His 
beloved wife, who died not long ago in Chicago, was also of symmetrical 
Christian character. W. C. Atkinson was another good man, who went 
to Heaven in 1888. His widow, beloved by us all, was taken from us less 
than a year ago, and her passing was but the “rustling of angels’ wings” 
coming to carry her emancipated spirit to the home of the happy and free. 
John Adams. 

W. H. Barnes, the son-in-law of Dr. Adams, was an educated and 
graceful writer. Margaret Boyd. Mrs. Georgiana Bird was an excellent 
Christian woman. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton were quiet and retiring mem- 
bers of the church. Mr. Bolton had been wounded in the Army by a 
bullet that passed through his lungs. He was delicate in health, and this 
sum ner, after a brief illness, he entered into rest. C. C. Burr was one 
whose zeal in the cause of Christ was great. He had been a minister in 
his early days, and, coming to the capital, he maintained a consistent 
walk, expressing in his life every Christian quality and embodying in his 
cultured mind and heart every Christian grace. Capt. S. S. Blackford 
was a soldier, who lost his arm in the service of his country. He was fond 
of flowers and all beautiful things. This true patriot and true Christian 
was suddenly removed and went from the streets of our city to walk 
the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. And who can measure the in- 
fluence of that excellent class leader, Seth S. Bryant? A hundred young 
men will tell you of the warm grasp of his hand and the kindliness of his 
welcome. He too was translated, that he should not see death ; for while 
calling at the home of Mr. Tasker, as he was repeating one of Isaac Watts’s 
glorious hymns, “he was not, for God took him.” Mrs. Louis Bagger, 
the wife of our consul for Norway, Sw r eden, and Denmark, was also called 
suddenly home. 

Benjamin F. Cutter, the father of our gifted and consecrated Mrs. 
Roach, was a constant and regular worshiper here. Dr. E. L. Corbin was 
a faithful officer in his country’s service and faithful in the church. 
Samuel Cram. Henry Cross. Bellie Crist. Delbert M. Covey. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robert Cohen. Mrs. E. Carter. Dr. Samuel Crew. Mrs. T. E. 
Clark, an estimable ladv. Col. D. C. Cox, a trustee of the church, whose 
brilliant parts became'a snare to him. Gov. Alexander and Mrs. Cum- 
mings, who entertained in Philadelphia with boundless hospitality, have 
left to their two daughters a heritage richer than the wealth of earth— the 
heritage of a good name. Mrs. Eliza Crawford, mother of Mrs. Cheno 


weth and sister of the wife of the grandly gifted Dr. Durbin. Rev. G. 
W. Chenoweth, dignified and accomplished, with a strong religious na- 
ture sweetened by elegant manners and sparkling with brilliant gifts. 
Father Chase was blind, but his eyes were opened to the glories of the 
unseen. He seemed to be living in Beulah Land, enjoying the aroma of 
celestial flowers and breathing the atmosphere of the Divine Presence. 
Now he beholds the King in His beauty. When Mrs. .Judge ( -lark was 
taken from us, a great and good woman fell in Israel. Her every breath 
seemed a heavenly aspiration. She found a Sabbith in every day, a 
sanctuary in every meal, a Bethel in every place. At the last meeting she 
ever attended she gave a Bible reading on her favorite chapter, the 11th 
of St. John, and with illumined face and inspired words she burned into 
the hearts of her fellow-workers the thought that there is no death ; it is 
abolished by the Conqueror of Death, who said, “ lam the Resurrection 
and the Life.” Her husband, her children, her grandchildren, the whole 
church rise up “to praise her in the gates.” Benjamin and Mrs. Charlton. 
Mrs. Charlton was an elect lady, full of grace and truth. She went from the 
Washington Grove camp meeting to the hills of frankincense and mount- 
ains of myrrh. And how shall I speak of my beloved friend, whose re- 
cent death has made our hearts desolate ? His face was a benediction ; he 
was a Christian whose testimony was his life. He was God-like in his giv- 
ing, for he gave freely and upbraided not. You can not find a person in 
this city, not even a child, who presented a needy cause that was ever 
turned away unaided. “ Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, 
for the end of that man is peace.” 

Israel Dishl was an enthusiastic evangelist, who died shouting “ Glory.” 
Mary Drum ceased to breathe in May, 1883. John DeFord was an active 
worker, who took an abiding interest in young men. Mrs. L. E. Deane 
was a gifted writer, deeply spiritual, tenderly attached to the church, and 
was wont to say that she loved every brick in it. Mrs. Eliza B. Duvall 
has but recently passed from us. Early left a widow, she raised her four sons 
and two daughters to be as polished stones in the temple of the Lord. Her 
death was a translation. Its sudden coming was only the Father’s foot- 
fall to escort His weary child home in the twilight of a long beautiful, busy 
day. We congratulate the children and grandchildren on having had 
such a mother — a mother who was one of the highest products of modern 
Methodism. 

Mrs. Kate Eastlack, active in Christian and temperance work, passed 
away in 1879. Samuel Emery, the brother of Matthew G. Emery, was 
a liberal supporter of the church, thoroughly reliable, dowered with the 
strength of the New England hills, upright and downright. “ An honest 
man is the noblest work of God.” Mrs. Gen. Eaton, graceful and devout in 
her old age as she was beautiful in her youth, when, under Gen. Jackson’s 
a Iministration, she set society agog by her marriage with the Secretary of 
War, died in 1879. Samuel R. Evans and Rev. W. V. Evans, full of zeal 
and divine fire, fervent in spirit, and mighty in prayer. 

Mrs. A. O. Fullerton has left behind her a beautiful memory. Her hus- 
band died only recently while running as a candidate for the House of 
Representatives. 

A. E. Gould. Dr. J. J. Given. Mrs. Amelie M. Green. Mr. and Mrs. 
H. L. Gobriglit. Mr. Gobright was long at the head of the Associated 
Press, using his pen to advance the interests of our Zion. Thomas K. 
Gray, an efficient and beloved class leader, for forty years a Sunday- 
school superintendent, loyal to all the traditions of Methodism, and his 
estimable wife — the father and mother of our alto singer. 

Mrs. S. L. Hall was the sister of Mr. William Jackson, active in all our 
church enterprises, warm-hearted, and liberal. Mrs. Katherine E. Hurst, 
whose works still follow her; beloved wherever she was known through- 
out the church. Edward B. Holt. S. R. Howard. John F. Havener. 


37 


The Havenner name is a household word. Many of the members of 
the family have gone to the “ saints’ secure abode.” Thomas, the father, 
was one of the best and purest of men. Thomas H., the son of like 
spirit, and T. Harvey Havenner, educated for the ministry, but called 
early to the skies. John Hall, the Arctic explorer, who died amid the 
hardships and privations of the frozen seas, was a devout worshiper in our 
sanctuary. Mrs. Pliillissa Harrover was an elegant lady, of fine presence, 
refined manners, and a gifted nature which grace had sanctified. Her 
husband was a substantial friend of the church, transparent as plate 
glass, with nothing counterfeit about him, a sincerity that looked out of his 
noble face and was impressed upon his every act. I visited him dur- 
ing his last illness. He was humble as a child, and placed all his hopes of 
salvation upon his Redeemer and Lord. 

Miss Lizzie Jackson and Mary E. Jackson were sisters. They were 
devoted to the church, and were among the finest types of Christian 
womanhood. Miss Lizzie Jackson contributed $4,000 towards the final 
extinguishment of the debt on this sanctuary. 

Rev. Charles King and Michael Keating were held in high esteem as 
good and faithful servants of the Master. Rev. Samuel Kramer was a local 
elder, chaplain of the Navy, and was called the “ sailor preacher.” He was 
a beautiful spirit nnd loyal to the church. Mrs. Nancy Knight, Annie 
Kingsbury, and Mr. and Mrs. James Keene were faithful to their trust. 

Thomas H. Lazenby passed away in 1883. Charles H. Lane was a 
trustee, and for a time had charge of the Strangers’ Class, now led by 
Brother Tallmadge. He was affable, genial, a sweet singer, and gifted in 
prayer. For forty years he was known and loved among the Christian 
people of this city. Mrs. Nellie H. Lutz was a devoted wife and mother, 
an ornament to society, the joy of the church, and the light of the home. 
She has been removed from the earth to that circle of glory of which the 
Lord God and the Lamb are the eternal center. And now we reach 
another illustrious name, the idol of the nation, the incomparable soldier, 
the greatest volunteer general of the republic, the foremost statesman of 
the mighty west, the incorruptible and honorable senator, the unselfish, 
high-spirited, chivalrous, and magnanimous John Alexander Logan. 
.When his early home was broken up and he started out in life, all that 
he asked for and all that he received was the old family Bible, flow he 
prized that book and read the Word with daily care ! The last time he 
was in this, his church home, he knelt humbly at the communion to re- 
ceive the emblems of the Saviour’s love, and on the Sabbath of December 
26, 1886, while his pastor, our beloved bishop, was lifting up his voice in 
prayer at his bedside, he was summoned into the presence of the King 
and entered upon the service of the eternal Sabbath of the skies. 

Samuel B. Mav, J. LI. Mandeville, J. C. McKelden, Col. A. B. Meacham, 
D. B. Mack, and Annie B. Milans are gone from us. IL. D. McConnell 
was an exhorter and zealous Sunday-school teacher. Robert Moore was 
so blameless in life that a gentleman closely associated with him for sixteen 
years in the War Department says that he never heard from him an unkind 
or impure word. Robert and Mrs. Moore both died in the home of their 
son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Lacey. They introduced 
Methodism into the Mohawk Valley. He was a saintly spirit, and so de- 
voted to the Master that when his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Sites, a young bride, 
was leaving for her missionary field, he said, “ I’d rather my child would 
go a missionary to China than as a wife of the minister plenipotentiary to 
any kingdom on earth.” He escaped to the mountain of God in 1884. 
His aged companion survived him ten years, a woman of fine mind, with 
literary tastes, and versed in church history and biography. She often 
surprised me with her historical references, her philosophic observations, 
and the recital of exquisite poems. She died last January at the age of 
85, and her body sleeps beside her husband in Ohio, near the church 


38 


in which a beautiful memorial window perpetuates the memory of these 
two honored lives and stimulates the younger generation to like fidelity to 
the church of Christ. 

Mrs. Laura A. Naylor was the wife of Dr. Naylor ; a faithful helpmeet, 
removed to the heavenly ranks during her husband’s pastorate here. Mr. 
and Mrs. James Nicholson, the former possessing the genius of a poet. 
He wrote some of our standard hymns, among them, “ Wash Me and I 
shall be Whiter than Snow.” 

J. C. Parcel. Dr. Mary A. Pomeroy. Thomas J. S. Perry was a 
splendid man, whose regnant qualities of mind and heart were always at 
the service of the church. He would never take office, but was always 
ready for work. He had been to the service of the sanctuary on the day 
that he was called to “ the house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens ” Thomas P.irsell was one of our quiet, generous, unobtrusive 
Christians, a typical Methodist of the old and best school. The cordial 
hospitality and Christian spirit of his home gave rest and comfort to 
many weary ministers, and he was the succorer of many. God bless his 
aged widow on her pilgrimage way. 

Mrs. Dolly A. Ruff was a devout believer, who passed away in 1884. 
Her husband, John A. Ruff, was our second Sunday-school superintend- 
ent. He was a gifted man, always heard with pleasure in the prayer 
meeting. As he prospered in business, the more his soul prospered and the 
more he gave. He seemed to hold communion with the invisible, and he 
saw the heavenly forms and angel faces of the departed and heard their 
well-known voices chanting high praises before the throne. 

Christiana Seiler and Nellie Sheidy were two Sunday-school scholars 
who died happy Christian deaths. David Sinsabaugh was a Sunday-school 
teacher, and died in the faith ; and Louis W. Sinsabaugh, his brother, 
passed suddenly from us as the result of a delicate and difficult operation. 
Waddington Summers was also taken away unexpectedly by hemorrhage 
of the lungs. Mrs. Sallie Smith, a sweet singer and a member of the early 
choir. Judge AV. B. Snell was a gentleman of great ability, quiet, digni- 
fied, and deeply spiritual. John W. Shiles, another honored member, was 
kindly in charity and of piety towards God. His son is taking up his work 
and following in his father’s steps. Senator Leland Stanford possessed 
sterling qualities of mind and heart, purity of life, and faith in God. He 
was a genuine philanthropist, and loved his fellows and his God. In my 
last interview with him, when he spoke of his failing health, I ventured to 
inquire as to his soul’s health, and his answer was, “ I have peace with 
God, and have come to look upon it as the supreme moment of existence 
when the soul is called into the presence of its Maker.” Suddenly the 
rapture came, and his soul was kissed away to the beatific vision. 

Clara Thompson. Mrs. Cecil Trembly, an earnest Christian worker, 
whose husband was the correspondent of the New York Times. Miss 
Belle Twombly was a lovely girl, the assistant teacher in the infant-class 
department, who ripened quickly into celestial beauty. No church ever 
mourned the loss of a child-saint, scarcely out of her teens, as did this 
church over Miss Twombly. Her beaming face, her soul-lit eyes, her 
radiant manner, her whole being, instinct with the divine, touched a’l the 
higher chords within, and no one can compute the value or measure the 
influence of that young life now dwelling in heights where the seraphim 
soar. John C. Tasker is another whose works fill the church with fra- 
grance as did the costly spikenard of Mary in the house at Bethany. He 
held the offices of steward, class leader, trustee, and treasurer, and was 
competent, conscientious, and faithful in all. His will was iron, his pur- 
pose was rooted like the oak, while his heart had a mother’s tenderness. 
There was a beautiful balance of opposite qualities, a combination of the 
inflexible and the tender, yet all the sterner elements of his nature were 
mellowed by the atmosphere of the cross. He has left behind him a 



' 


TO mi DEATHLESS MEMORY OF 

• mmm t 

JOHN ALEXANDER LOME 

Six years In th e House of Representatives. 

Three times fftecteti to tfee Senate 
•of the.-ypltod States. * . |. 

forty y stirs In official life. 

Brent 'Statesman of the irig^ty W**t. 
Comma- t ! sr of the Prmy of ‘ttoTmitefsee 
'tel fp re-most ‘Volunteer G<*mr& 
o- y the Republic he loved $a well 
VVto V! cvs -Vr*s t’ushrfoys err- Council 
Esteemed wosNfty the 
'Mg'^est honors of his Country* 
hob *est typo of American manhood,, 
Generous, Fr?.oh> Brave* r - a 'i 
jfocerru ptffcfe Patriot, Cfe ror&Wo Citizen,- 
fmttv^v; Fr*er<. 3ey*t»ci 
Belova r&re?st*$w®rs 
. . - - r ‘ l ~fo u mil iy trust Ip 
, ' if this is 4t& ««<M am 

f4A>- 


MURAL tablet in metropolitan CHURCH. 





39 


large number of earnest, consistent, Bible-loving members, trained in his 
class, and his companion and son are standard-bearers in the sanctuary of 
his love. 

Jenett Van Dasen was a true disciple. Etta Van Tassell was a Sunday- 
school girl who fell asleep in Jesus. Egbert Vandyke was a German 
convert. 

Mrs. Mary Wilkinson, in great sacrifice and self-denying efforts, laid 
the foundation of the Young Woman’s Home. Mrs. W. E. Wright was 
an active Sunday-school teacher. William and Cornelia AVarder, Susie 
M. Weeks, AY. M. AVheelock, J. F. Wollard, and Ida AA^ollard have 
a record that is on high. Julia Williams, one of the sweetest lambs of 
the flock, passed away in young womanhood. John Q. AVilson was a 
sterling man, and has left to his widow and children, who are members of 
this church, a spotless and untarnished name. Mrs. Julia Wilson, mother 
of Sister Louise AVilson, died beautifully. She had a vision of angels and 
went sweeping through the gates, “ washed in the blood of the Lamb.” 
Harry AValford, one of our finest Sunday-school boys, gave promise of 
great usefulness and of a zeal that would sacrifice everything upon the 
altar of the church ; a devoted son, a loving brother, and a faithful church 
member. He passed suddenly from earthly joys to — 

That river in the skies. 

Whose banks are with immortal verdure clad, 

Whose streams make all Jehovah’s City glad. 

Of Annie Zoder is the record : AVent to Heaven in 1877. 

These are but a few of the company to whom the heavens have opened 
over this national church through the last quarter of a century. They 
have gone to the general assembly of the church of the first born, which 
is written in Heaven. It is with us as at the soldiers’ cemetery out yon- 
der on the wooded heights of the Potomac. AVe read the names of 
thousands of fallen soldiers on the head-stones, but there is a great mon- 
ument fo the unknown heroes who died for their country. Their names 
were not recorded, but they were not forgotten. So, belonging to this 
church are many departed worthies whose names we have not been able 
to record. But they are written in Heaven, and are among the great cloud 
of the glorified. Death is a wonderful camera obscura. It projects the 
images of the departed in colors tender and beautiful like a golden atmos- 
phere mellowed and enriched by the light of the setting sun. And how 
precious is the memory of the just and the good. They leave behind 
them a train of light and blessedness. 

Were a star quenched on high, 

For ages would its light, 

Still traveling downward from the sky, 

Shine on our mortal sight. 

So when a good man dies, 

For years beyond our ken, 

The light he leaves beyond him lies 
Upon the paths of men. 

How this church has been bereaved ! AVhat standard-bearers have 
fallen ! As we think of them, we are ready to take up Elisha’s cry, “My 
father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” 
There is so much to be done and the workers are so few. But the church 
must still have the highest place in our affections. It must still goon, 
starting waves of influence that shall roll over the whole land. When 
President Lincoln was assassinated, it was Garfield who gave utterance to 
the sentiment, “The President is dead, but, thank God, the Government 
at AVashington still lives.” So, though many workers have fallen, thank 
God, the Metropolitan Church still lives. The church is permanent in its 
organization and wasting continually is yet continually renewed. The 
burdens and responsibilities w r hich others bore so nobly and discharged 
with such fidelity have fallen upon our shoulders. Lord God of the 


40 


fathers, send down a double portion of Thy spirit upon us. Let us, rob- 
ing ourselves in the garments of the holy departed, follow them as they 
followed Christ and nobly witness for the Master. The very memories 
of this sanctuary are as joy bells. This church has been prolific of saint 
supply for Heaven. Let us be faithful, that we may meet these faithful 
workers who have safely crossed the bar. 

There all the ship’s company meet, 

Who sailed with the Master beneath , 

And shouting each other they greet. 

And triumph o’er danger and death. 

Mrs. John P. Newman said : 

What diversities appear in individual life, as illustrated by calling the 
memorial roll on the twenty-fifth anniversary of this church. Some 
human existences encircle breadth and length, heights and depths, while 
other lives have only epochs in their history. Every Christian individ- 
uality must transmit some perfume, when the alabaster box is broken, that 
will emit its sweetness to render other characters more Christ like. There 
is a fragrance in the memory of the one I am to remind you of this even- 
ing, who worshiped with you in this temple for a brief period, whose 
name is enrolled on your record, but is now transcribed in the Lamb’s 
Book of Life. Mrs. Katherine Lamont Hurst was suddenly translated 
from the church militant to the church triumphant, “to the house not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” while yet the sun-dial of her 
earth life was in its midday splendor. The Heavenly Father, too wise to 
err and too good to be unkind, must have known her life work was com- 
plete and claimed her in all the beauty of her womanhood to higher serv- 
ice. She was with me in college in the sunny days of youth, only a few 
years my junior. I seem to see her now through the vista of years, as 
beautiful as an angel — her classic features a model for an artist, a pro- 
fusion of dark hair hanging in rippling curls over her graceful shoulders, 
her eyes radiant with love almost divine, her complexion transparently 
white, with a pale tint of pink which seldom came to the surface except 
in the exuberance of joy or special delight. Mature womanhood de- 
veloped rare accomplishments and refined dignity. She was a natural 
linguist and translated fluently the German, writing several sets of his- 
tories of royal personages while Hr. Hurst (now bishop) was president of 
the theological school at Fran kfort-on-the- Main. Her lot fell on the same 
lines as my own — the wife of an itinerant. Thus, when we met, we always 
exchanged notes. Gracefully, yet somewhat timidty, she adorned every 
avenue in which she was placed, as a devoted, consistant Christian. Only 
a little while before she came to reside in Washington, she visited me in 
our parsonage home, only a few steps from this church, as she said, to 
talk over our school days, and in particular to remind me of the happiest 
event in her life, when I led her to the altar in a season of revival at the 
college, where she found Christ as her Saviour. It came to me like new 
revelation, as we clasped hands in a renewed consecration. It was an in- 
spiration to a higher, better life. It will follow me until we meet at the 
throne of God to cast our crowns at Jesus’ feet, amid the innumerable 
company of angels and the first-born in Heaven. Her attendance at this 
church must have been a benediction. 

It was a privilege far beyond the common walks of life, quite on the 
verge of Heaven, to be with Mrs. Benjamin Charlton as her redeemed 
spirit passed through the golden gateway into the Celestial City. Surely 
it was not death ; it was translation. She was sitting calmly' beneath a 
white tent amid the native forest trees at Washington Grove camp meet- 
ing, whither she had come to worship with the people of God, when the 
angels whispered, “The Master has come and calleth for thee.” She had 
walked the earth in white, ready to depart at a moment’s call, expecting 
the heart would suddenly cease to pulsate, and to cease at once to work 


41 


and live with Christ was not a surprise. She has since stood on the 
heavenly threshold as a bride adorned for her grand and noble husband. 
Only a few months ago, when their first pastor in this dear church was 
far over the sea, there came a cablegram that the golden gates had opened 
wide their bars of light and our beloved and honored Benjamin Charlton 
had joined the bride of his youth. This evening, while we are celebrat- 
ing ihe twenty-fifth anniversary, they, hand in hand, are walking the 
streets of the New Jerusalem. And who can tell if they may not be look- 
ing over the battlements of glory and waving their palms of victory to us 
“ over there, over there.” It is emphatically true of him that he was a 
pillar in this church and a tower of strength, and of both “ the righteous 
shall be had in everlasting remembrance.” Oh, what a company from 
this dear church shall by and by “gather at the river, the beautiful 
river,” and see, with the immortal Tennyson, “our Pilot face to face 
when we have crossed the bar ! ” 

I consider it both an honor and a privilege to recall a name whose 
memory is so fragrant as that of our dear friend Elizabeth Jackson, known 
lovingly by myself as dear “ Aunt Lizzie ” (as we all called her famil- 
iarly). She lived until within the fourth year of the tenth decade of a 
century — ninety-four illustrious years, which rounded out into complete 
symmetrical cycles full of good works and alms deeds, which were be- 
stowed with an open hand. Scores and hundreds must for years to come 
continue to rise up and call her blessed, having her name in grateful re- 
membrance. This truly wonderful woman from childhood until fair 
maidenhood maintained an unblemished character. Her graces increased 
in genuine sterling worth into fully developed womanhood. She was al- 
ways loved and admired by a large circle of relatives and a host of friends 
in and out of the church, who delighted to pay homage to her as if she were 
a queen. Indeed, she was every whit a queenly woman, and did we canonize 
in our church, we would certainly call her St. Elizabeth, of the Metro- 
politan M. E. Church. In early life she gave her heartfelt affections 
to Christ, whom she loved and served with devout fervor and holy zeal 
all the days of a long life. She often spoke laughingly of her many lovers , 
but, firm in a choice all her own, remained unmarried. She was truly 
wedded to the hallowed interests of the church she loved so much, and 
particularly to “the dear Metropolitan,” as she always called this church. 
Hers was among the first names enrolled on its records. Always young, 
never seeming to have a thought of growing old even at the "age of 
over 90 years, she evinced great vivacity, which overflowed in love and 
affection until it blended in an eternal springtime. Oh, I am very happy, 
dear friends, who are here this evening in this church, in the thought that 
ere long I shall clasp glad hands with dear “Aunt Lizzie ” and the goodly 
company gone before on the “ever-shining shore.” 

Miss Mary Ellen Jackson, niece of Miss Elizabeth Jackson, who was 
with her aunt until she passed into the life immortal, we thought would 
take her place in the family and in the church. Alas for us and her be- 
loved brother, Wm. Jackson (who still lives a faithful helper in this 
church), dear Mary Ellen did not long survive “Aunt Lizzie, ’ to whom 
she was so fondly united on earth. But now they are in holier fellow- 
ship “in Heaven above, where all is love.” 

Allow me to add a brief tribute to the King’s Daughters. It was my 
privilege to organize in this church a complete circle of one hundred, or 
ten “tens.” The half of this circle was from what our dear Miss Cor- 
nelia called “her jewels” — those who were or had been in her depart- 
ment. Many of them are now joining in the angelic choir with the little 
ones here, “ When He Cometh to Make up His Jewels.” Miss Elizabeth 
Jackson was one of the last ten in the circle numbering from ninety to one 
hundred. My own dear mother, Mary Ensign, was the uniting link in 
the circle, as she would have been 100 years old had she been in 


42 


earth life. Mrs. Crawford, the blessed mother of our dear Mrs. Chena- 
weth, who attained the great age of 96 years, was one of this aged ten. 
The other eight (would that I had time to mention their names) now 
behold the King in His beauty. 

Mrs. John A. Logan said : 

It is with much diffidence that I comply with our pastor’s request to 
say something on this occasion. To do so, I find I must draw upon hal- 
lowed memories. More than a quarter of a century ago I had the pleasure 
of listening to the exercises on the memorable occasion of the dedication of 
this temple. Bishop Simpson’s sermon is never to be forgotten, the 
sublimity of which rests like a halo over his memory. There have been 
few audiences of men of greater minds or more potent influences than 
once assembled here. But, alas ! with the receding years, how many of 
them have been borne to that land from which none have ever returned, 
His Eminence Bishop Simpson among the number. 

Beneath this vaulted roof have been gathered votaries from every 
quarter of the globe, as well as from every State and Territory of the 
Union. The assembly under the dome of our proud capitol is not more 
cosmopolitan than the congregations who have worshiped in this church; 
and what a blessing it has been, in that it has made a home for sojourners 
within the gates of the city. The name Metropolitan w T as fitly bestowed, 
because, while not the oldest, it has been the mother church for Method- 
ists under the new era for Methodism at the nation’s capital. 

In his mighty sermon Bishop Simpson prophesied wiser than he knew 
of the future of Metropolitan Church and the city of Washington. He 
was called to a higher church and a greater city, but we who have lingered 
on have witnessed the fulfillment of his prophecy. No w T ork watered by 
his tears and upheld by his prayers and those of the disciples who have 
followed him, who have been sustained by the Omnipotent Hand, could 
fail. 

After the dedication the church was consigned to the keeping of Dr. J. 
P. Newman, in the selection of whom there was a direct intervention of 
Divine Providence. His inspiration, spiritual power, eloquence, far- 
reaching research, masterly ability, robust physical strength, keen in- 
sight, scholarly manner, patriotic loyalty to God and country brought to 
this sanctuary multitudes, till there was not room to contain them. 
Chancel, gallery, pew, and aisle were packed at every morning service, 
lecture, prayer and praise meeting. Every service was thronged, and for 
years it seemed that the planting in this vineyard was the beginning of 
the millennium. In the dual capacity of chaplain of the Senate and pastor 
of the Metropolitan Church, he satisfied each body by ministering to the 
spiritual needs of each without any attempt to unite church and State, his 
creed being antagonistic to such a union. 

Heroes, statesmen, celebrities of every nation, men and women of dis- 
tinction waited upon every sermon and dwelt upon it when it was over. 
Communicants and noncommunicants were glad to hear the Word as Dr. 
Newman preached it. Believers in every dogma listened with delight to 
his exponency of the law and the gospel. To name the throng would re- 
quire much more time than I would dare to consume, but a few of them 
were such central figures in the world’s galaxy of great men and women 
that I can not refrain from naming them . 

Conspicuous among them was that majestic man who sat so long on the 
left of the east aisle near the front pew, and whose bowed head in the hour 
of prayer would scarcely suggest to the stranger the masterful Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court, Salmon P. Chase. How well I remember the holy 
communion Sabbath, when, after the last communicant had arisen from 


43 


the altar and gone forth, and Dr. Newman repeated the invitation to any 
others who might desire to come forward, Chief Justice Chase arose and 
all alone went forward and knelt down to receive the blessed sacrament. 
Soon after his place was made vacant, and if you ask whither he went, we 
think we can say his soul has gone to realms above. His body lies in the 
quiet cemetery of his much loved city, Columbus, Ohio, where a grateful 
people will no doubt erect a monument that could scarcely record the 
good deeds he did. 

A few 7 of us recall another, who, when Chief Magistrate of the nation, 
would come regularly with his family and sit in the pew that is still dedi- 
cated to the President of the United States. The sphinx-like face he bore 
for the world wore another expression when he worshiped at the throne 
of Him who had guided his footsteps through all the labyrinths of war’s 
mysterious ways. When the doxology, “Praise God from whom all 
blessings flow,” began, U. S. Grant would slip out at the pastor’s door and 
down the side stairs to the right of the altar, and depart to avoid the eyes 
of the curious, who sometimes forget there is a time and place for all 
things. August senators, representatives, officials of high and low degree 
have knelt at this altar and pledged themselves anew to the service of 
Him who hath redeemed us. 

Another ; and he was among the first to go to his reward, Hon. T. L. 
Tullock, that devout Christian, patriotic citizen, exemplary official, help- 
ful friend, affectionate father and husband. How much of his busy life 
he devoted to the upbuilding of this church future generations can never 
know, but we, who watched him in the trying years of the church’s 
struggles, revere his memory and bless his name. 

How shall I speak of still another who came and went an humble, sin- 
cere worshiper at this shrine ? Communion Sunday, December 5, 1886, 
we knelt together at the railing and partook of the last sacrament. On 
the 10th he was taken ill ; on the 26th, with the sound of Dr. Newman’s 
voice petitioning the Heavenly Father for the repose of his soul ringing 
in his ears, his righteous spirit took its flight, and I know that he is now 
a partaker of the joys of eternal life in Heaven above. The tablet on your 
walls will testify to the presence of Gen. John A. Logan in this church 
long after the last of us have passed away. 

With the expiration of Bishop Newman’s itinerary and the short stay 
of Rev. Dr. Eddy on account of his election as missionary secretary and 
the untimely death of many of the most prominent attendants, we experi- 
enced for a few years much apathy in the church. But the return of Dr. 
Newman to the charge, twice repeated, revived the latent energies and 
interest of the membership, and has brought us to our twenty-fifth anni- 
versary in the enjoyment of prosperity and goodly numbers. Of those 
who still remain of the phalanx, who have braved every danger threaten- 
ing the church, and who have never been found wanting, delicacy forbids 
me to speak. 

The present pastor has reason to rely upon the efforts and devotion of 
this loyal congregation, who hold him in high esteem and tender regard. 
His righteousness, ability, and enthusiasm in his Master’s work have 
awakened much of the old-time activity in the congregation, and he will 
doubtless have many souls for his hire. 

The spectral legions who beckon us on include the mightiest and the 
humblest, the wisest and the best, and may we be permitted to join that 
throng when we are done with time and things. 

The remarks of Mrs. T. L. Tullock, in behalf of the Ladies’ Aid Asso- 
ciation of the Metropolitan Church, ‘were as follows : 

This association has for its object the advancement of the cause of 
Christ by promoting Christian fellowship, in securing a better acquaint- 
ance among the members of the church, and in rendering financial aid 


44 


whenever needed,, so far as is in its power. It has also in its charge the 
care and furnishing of the parsonage. Its best efforts have been put 
forth to render the pastor’s family comfortable and their home attractive. 

The work began with the first pastorate of Dr. Newman. The ladies 
came together, as Mrs. Newman expressed a wish to have them. She was 
a most indefatigable worker, and inspired her associates with her zealous 
spirit. We were most successful in raising money for assisting in pay- 
ing the expenses of the church and Sunday-school, as well as the dreaded 
interest on the church debt. The social interests of the church have also 
been promoted. 

We have always been a working society, and many times we have been 
wearied almost beyond endurance. I recall one occasion in 1876, when 
the Baltimore Conference held its session in this church, Bishop Bowman 
presiding. A reception was given to the bishop, the conference, and 
friends. We had a large attendance. In those days we were lavish with 
our refreshments, and it was late when the guests left. Then we were 
told, with the sublime confidence of man, that the bishop would want the 
little class room (which he used for his office) at the usual hour in the 
morning, and that the conference would expect to resume its session at 
the regular hour. I did not sleep much that night. Early the next morn- 
ing I hurried to the church, wondering if I could obtain entrance. I 
found Mrs. Newman had been there, before daylight I believe, washing 
dishes, assorting spoons, forks, knives, and china, until there was a hope 
at least that we would have the church in readiness for our brethren — 
and we did. 

We were made an organized society by Dr. Eddy, his wife serving a 
short time as president. Mrs. Tullock, Mrs. Baer, Mrs. Huntley, Mrs. 
Tasker, and Mrs. LaFetra have served as president, all doing excellent 
work. The wheels of time have rolled around, and I am again serving. 

We have placed to the various uses of the church several thousand 
dollars. Our roll in the church triumphant is a large and honored one. 
AYe are encouraged by the fact that our young people are showing a will- 
ingness to share in our efforts, and I desire to thank Bishop Newman for 
his words of advice and encouragement to the young this afternoon. 

My committee has assisted in visiting the poor, the sick, and in seeking 
out those who come to us strangers. AYe are working for the Master, and 
seek His favor in all that we do. 

Mrs. J. C. Tasker said : 

I come here to-night, bringing only a little testimony for the Master, 
who has done so much for me since I became a member of this church. 
I was not present on that Easter morning when the organization took 
place, but, my husband being here, he came home and informed me that he 
had presented our names to become members of the new Metropolitan 
Church. I felt a little sorry at first, for I had learned to love “ AA 7 esley ” 
as my church home ; but it was all right, and the week following we came 
together to attend the first prayer meeting. It was held in the church 
parlors. The room was filled with our people, and some of the testimonies 
given are very fresh in my mind to-night. There seemed to be a burden 
of soul desire to become better men and women in the service of Christ, 
and of the need of a new consecration in commencing the work of the Lord 
here. Then the classes were formed. The one assigned to meet in the 
little southwest class room became particularly dear to me. Perhaps it 
was because it was placed under the leadership of one I loved — one whom 
I knew to be a man of God, whose supreme desire w r as to be a faithful 
servant of Christ and of His church. For many years he was found every 
Monday night in that little room, trying to help in their Christian life ail 



p 








Bishop John F. Hurst 























€ 


























45 


who met with him. A little while before he left us for the blessed home 
we were talking about these meetings, and he estimated that he had at- 
tended over seven hundred in this church. 

Nineteen years ago, soon after Dr. Newman returned to us in his second 
pastorate, there came upon us a precious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 
Our dear people gathered around this altar and rededicated themselves to 
God. Many entered into new and blessed experiences of divine grace. 

I well remember, while kneeling here, what a wonderful baptism came 
upon my own soul. The unction abideth it, and in the strength of that 
baptism I give my little testimony here to-night. That same strength 
has carried me through all these years and upheld me in times of sick- 
ness and sorrow, and I have the blessed assurance that it will carry me on 
until the Master says, “ It is enough ; come up higher.” 

Soon after this revival our ladies’ class was organized, and Mrs. New- 
man was appointed leader. She served faithfully during her husband’s 
pastorate, and was a great help to us in our spiritual life. Our beloved 
Mrs. Fullerton, of precious memory, was another of its leaders. Since 
she passed away, the Lord has kept the class together. It has never been 
suspended, except for a few weeks during the intense heat of summer. Our 
numbers have not been large, yet there has never been a meeting when 
we have failed to realize the presence of the Divine One or to receive His 
blessing. To God be all the glory. 

At the close of this address the bishop requested Mrs. Tasker, who had 
for many years belonged to the choir, to sing “ Blessed Assurance,” the 
audience joining heartily in the chorus. 

Mrs. Sarah D. LaFetra, representing the Woman’s Foreign Missionary 
Society, said : 

There has been connected with this church since its organization 
twenty-five years ago an active, earnest, and consecrated Woman’s For- 
eign Missionary Society. I have prepared no formal report nor exact 
statistics, nor will I detain you to give the names of the various presidents 
and officers who have faithfully served this society, but this I know, that 
thousands of dollars have been raised and sent by loving hands and prayer- 
ful hearts to foreign fields. Four consecrated women, whose names have 
been read by our pastor, have gone out from our ranks to teach and preach 
the gospel. The last one to leave us was our own dear Ruth Marie Sites. 
There have been many honored names on our rolls, prominent among 
which is the family of the devoted Rev. Dr. Sites, of Foo Chow, China, 
and their presence among us is always an inspiration and a blessing. We 
believe this anniversary will awaken new interest and create new life 
among us. We appeal to all in this audience who are not already mem- 
bers to unite with us in this good work. We ask 2 cents a week and a 
prayer for the salvation of the world through the Woman’s Foreign and 
other kindred missionary societies. 

Mrs. W. G. McDowell, president of the Woman’s Home Missionary 
Society of the church, said : 

As the representative of the youngest of the woman’s societies of the 
church, I have but little of interest to bring you to-night. 

The Woman’s Home Missionary Society, has been in existence but five 
of the twenty-five years since the organization of this church. During 
that time we have received by voluntary contributions nearly $1,700, 
which has been disbursed in the interest of home missions. Our work 
is largely among the very poor of our city. Through the generosity 
of our church and congregation we have distributed a large quantity of 
clothing, food, and fuel, and have thus gained an entrance to the homes 


46 


and the opportunity to speak words of comfort to many needy ones and 
to point them to the Christ in whose name we are trying to help them. 

We support a deaconess at a cost of $250 annually, who devotes her en- 
tire time to visiting from house and house and caring for the sick and 
destitute. We have sent supplies of clothing to a number of our ministers 
on the frontier and to our mission school at Unalaska, Alaska, and also to 
the school for poor white girls at Athens, Tenn., which is conducted 
under the auspices of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of our 
church. 

In view of the pressing calls for help that have come to us and the 
great need and destitution that prevails in so many localities, we have had 
it in our hearts to do much more than we have been able to accomplish. 
We have been glad, however, to give even a cup of cold water in the name 
of the Master. 

Mr. T. W. Tallmadge, leader of the Strangers’ Class, spoke as follows : 

Every visitor who enters the vestibule of this church is confronted with 
the notice, “ The Strangers’ Class meets in the parlor of this church im- 
mediately after the Sabbath morning service. All are welcome.” 

A meeting of this character is peculiar to Metropolitan Church, and was 
no doubt suggested in view of the fact that so many Methodists through- 
out the country had contributed towards its erection, many of whom were 
expected to subsequently visit the capital and worship where they had a 
right to feel at home. C. C. Burr was the first leader. The next was 
Charles II . Lane, who held the position for a short time. They were 
succeeded by Rev. Wm. M. Ferguson, of the Central New York Confer- 
ence, who has been a member of the quarterly conference of this church 
since it organization, and who served as leader of the Strangers’ Class 
until my appointment at the commencement of the conference year 1883. 

Most of the ministers of the M. E. Church, superannuated or relieved 
from active work in their various conferences, who have made Washing- 
ton their residence, connect themselves with the quarterly conference of 
this church, and have contributed greatly by their attendance in making 
the Strangers’ Class interesting. Among those who attended the class 
regularly while worshiping here were Rev. Charles Adams, Rev. Samuel 
Kramer, and Rev. J. E. Parker, all of whom have gone to their reward. 
Rev. William M. Ferguson, who has been a helpless invalid the past four- 
teen months, continued to manifest an intense interest in the class even 
after he ceased to be a leader. Frequently the visitors inquire, with the 
greatest regard, for these ministerial brethren, of whom they have such 
pleasant recollections connected with a former visit. Rev. Stephen Brown, 
of the Genessee Conference, and Rev. Levi H. York, of the Oneida Con- 
ference, are still helpers, as they have been for years past. 

Our own church members also take great interest in the class, about 60 
being enrolled therein, many good singers among them, so that every 
meeting has a fair representation of the church, all of whom make the 
visitors welcome. Hence this feature of the church has performed its 
peculiar work, and has become noted among the Methodists at a distance, 
who often repeat their visits, always declaring it gives them a homelike 
feeling. Very often there are visitors from some other denomination, who, 
in a spirit of religious investigation, attend a class meeting for the first 
time and embrace the opportunity of observing how our class meet- 
ings are conducted. They have always expressed themselves delighted, 
as well as benefited, by this means of grace. 

On one occasion . during the summer of 1893, four young Buddhists from 
India were in attendance. After the brethren and sisters had given their 
religious experiences, these Hindoos spoke freely of their faith. The 
queer part of their experience was the assertion that the last six of 


47 


the ten commandments were also in their religion, and that every Bud- 
dhist strictly obeys them, while it had been their observation that the 
commandments are frequently violated in this country, the sixth, ‘ ‘ Thou 
shalt not kill,” very conspicuously and constantly. They referred to the 
fact that animals are made to contribute to our support as food. Our 
destruction of animals impressed the Buddhists very forcibly, because of 
their faith that the soul transmigrates after death into animals. They 
declared that a true Buddhist would not kill any living creature except to 
save life, for they might thus be afflicting the soul of an ancestor or 
some deceased member of their family. This is probably the first in- 
stance in the history of Methodism that the heathen from India were 
present at a class meeting in the United States. Whether that visit has 
led to conversions is not known. These young men had taken a col- 
legiate course in India, and were en route to England for the purpose of 
completing their education in the Oxford University. No doubt the 
Holy Spirit will work upon them in connection with the memory of this 
visit, leading to investigation as to the religion of the Christian and the 
revelation of the Bible. 

The Strangers’ Class has contributed its part for the benefit of the church 
during the past quarter century. Through its instrumentality sinners 
have been led to repentance ; many young men, upon arriving in the city, 
have found proper companions; new members have been added to the 
church ; it members have become workers in the public services ; some 
have become missionaries at home and abroad. Very many have died 
in the faith, attesting to the comfort and profit of the soul derived from 
their attendance, while thousands residing in all parts of the country 
have expressed their hearty commendation and gratitude that such a class 
meeting exists and is accessible to the stranger sojourning for a time in 
the capital of the nation. 

Gen. Cyrus Bussey said : 

I took a seat in the back part of the church, thinking that, as your pro- 
gram was a long one, I would be overlooked. 

I have been intensely interested in the history of this church during 
the past twenty-five years, as given in the able addresses to which we 
have listened. While contemplating the intimate relations that have 
existed between it and Bishop Newman during all these years, my mind 
has gone back to a time prior to Bishop Newman’s service as the pastor 
and founder of this church, where it was my good fortune to be intimately 
associated with him as a member of his church and congregation. It is 
due to that fact that I have been honored with an invitation to say a word 
on this interesting occasion. It was during the dark days of the Civil 
War when Dr. Newman was sent by the bishops of the church, with the 
approval and sanction of the War Department, to New Orleans to re- 
establish the Methodist Episcopal Church in the South. During the first 
year of his ministry, thousands, attracted by his eloquent preaching, 
gathered each Sunday to hear him. Officers of the army and citizens 
from every State in the Union, attracted to that city during the last years 
of the war, were in his congregation. The return of peace and the dis- 
bandment of the army and the return to the North of those composing 
the greater part of the congregation made the task of reorganization most 
difficult. Notwithstanding the clouds which gathered during the dark 
days of reconstruction, the doctor built a large church and gathered into 
it there, as he did in this church, a congregation that was greatly attached 
to him. I very vividly recall how the members of that congregation felt 
when Bishop Simpson' announced that Dr. Newman was to go to Wash- 
ington to organize the Metropolitan Church. The times were exciting ; 
political revolutions had several times caused bloodshed in the city ; there 
was prejudice against the “ northern ” church. Almost every member 


4S 


of the doctor’s congregation felt that they wanted to see and talk with 
him every day. I know that I did not consider the duties of each day 
fully performed unless I had seen him. 

When I knew Dr. Newman in New Orleans, he not only regularly filled 
the pulpit of his church each Sunday morning and evening and attended 
to the other church services during the week, but for a considerable time 
acted as presiding elder over a large number of conferences, holding the 
quarterly conferences on week days. He was the adviser and instructor 
of a large number of ministers, whom he was organizing into conferences. 
He was the editor of a church paper which he established and success- 
fully conducted, and which is now one of our official papers. 

Dr. Newman raised the money to purchase the first building for the 
establishment of the New Orleans University. He and I were members 
of the first board of trustees. He also established the Orphans’ Home on 
Bayou Tech, now known as La Tech Seminary. This all goes to show 
that Dr. Newman brought to Metropolitan Church a ripe experience. 

The success of this church under his pastorate was assured from the 
first. During his whole ministerial career he has been a great traveler. 
His friends everywhere have rejoiced that the church had a representa- 
tive who could see so much on his travels, and one who had the ability 
to cause his hearers to see, in his wonderful word painting, what he had 
seen with his eyes. We have all traveled with him “Around the World,” 
“ From Dan to Beersheba,” “From Greenland’s Ic}' Mountains to Africa’s 
Sunny Shore,” through “Palestine,” “ Babylon and Nine vah,” “Cali- 
fornia,” and “South America,” and heard the story of the “Religions 
of the World.” 

Wherever Bishop Newman is known Metropolitan Church is known. 
The church has conferred great honors upon Bishop Newman, but he in 
turn has conferred honor and abilities of a very "high order upon the 
church. Nine years of his ministry were spent as the pastor of this 
church. He has been a frequent visitor every year when not the pastor, 
and has contributed much to the success which has come to this people 
during all these years. Let us hope that he will long be spared to the 
church, and that many here to-night will live to celebrate the fiftieth 
anniversary of its organization. 

Rev. Dr. H. R. Naylor’s congratulations : 

It is with pleasure that I congratulate the good people of Metropolitan 
Church upon their twenty -fifth anniversary. Twenty -five years do not 
seem very long, but in that period you have had a diversified experience 
and written considerable history. I trust that some one of your number 
will keep a correct record of your church life — the steps you have taken, 
the struggles through which you have passed, and the faithful fortitude 
evinced by many of your number, many of whom have gone to their re- 
ward. Such history ought to be, and is, valuable to Methodists every- 
where^ My pastorate of Metropolitan Church was, I think, at the dark- 
est period in its history. It was at the time, you know, when Shy lock 
was demanding his pound of flesh, yet in my ministry of more than thirty 
years I have never seen steadier faith nor calmer fortitude evinced by 
Christian men and women. This period, too, was the saddest that has 
ever come into my own domestic life. Yet, in its midst, my sorrowing 
home was comforted by your kindest sympathy and help — sympathy and 
and help which to-day is cherished by my memory as among its most 
sacred treasures. That your future may be more prosperous and success- 
ful even than the past in building up our Redeemer’s /kingdom is my 
sincere prayer. 

In closing, “ Shall We Gather at the River” was sung. Bishop New- 
man pronounced the benediction. 









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